Zuriel Hutson and Sharuk Sheraji

A MAN from Highbury who rode a stolen moped the wrong way up the motorway in a 90mph police chase has been jailed.

Zuriel Hutson, 21, was handed a two-and-a-half year prison sentence after pleading guilty to conspiracy to steal, dangerous driving and breach of a criminal behaviour order at Wood Green Crown Court on Monday.

Hutson and his accomplice, Sharuk Sheraji, 22, from Hoxton, went on a phone snatch spree across north and east London on June 26 last year. They stole 18 phones out of the hands of unsuspecting members of the public.

Officers from the Met’s Operation Attrition – set up specifically to tackle moped snatch offences – were mobilised in unmarked police cars. With the support of a police helicopter, they went after the pair.

Police footage of Hutson on the M11

Police first tried to stop the moped in Tottenham. Sheraji jumped off and attempted to flee on foot, but was caught by officers.

He was found to be in possession of 18 phones and arrested.

Hutson then attempted to escape on the moped, heading north onto the North Circular and the M11, all the while followed by the helicopter. He was filmed riding at high speeds, weaving in and out of traffic on the wrong side of the carriageway on the M11.

At one point, he hit an oncoming car and fell off the moped, before picking it up and carrying on the wrong way along the hard shoulder.

Hutson was eventually caught by police who were forced to close part of the motorway and use a “stinger” tyre deflation device to slow him down.

Sheraji, 22, was sentenced to two years’ imprisonment after pleading guilty to conspiracy to steal and breach of a criminal behaviour order.