A motorist jailed for six months for driving at more than 150 kph was yesterday released from custody after lodging an appeal against his sentence.

Huw R. Thomas appeared before Senior Magistrate Will Francis yesterday morning when he pleaded guilty to a series of motoring offences.

He was jailed for a total of six months, but yesterday afternoon lodged an appeal against the sentence on the grounds that it was excessive.

Thomas, who is due to get married in two weeks, was freed from custody by Mr.

Francis pending the appeal.

No date has been set for the hearing which will be held at the Supreme Court.

Thomas' attorney Kim White was not available for comment.

Earlier, Magistrates' Court was told that Thomas, 33, reached speeds of more than 150 kph as he tried to get away from Police.

Police first clocked Thomas on Crow Lane driving at 109 kph and followed him down Trimingham Hill and onto South Road where he reached speeds of more than 150 kph.

"I have been here a long time and I cannot remember anyone reaching these speeds. I cannot remember anything as bad as this,'' said Mr. Francis.

Sgt. Phil Taylor told the court that at about 12.15 a.m on Saturday, April 12, Police were carrying out radar checks when a Volkswagen Scirocco passed through at 109 kph.

"A motorcycle officer caught up with the car on Trimingham Hill and the driver accelerated away,'' he said. "The car overtook a line of cars and accelerated again, going onto South Road and speeding in excess of 150 kph.

"The car was swerving and other cars were forced to steer away to avoid an accident,'' added Sgt. Taylor.

Thomas was stopped at Collector's Hill. Sgt. Taylor said: "His eyes were red and glazed and his breath smelled of liquor. He was arrested and cautioned, but refused to give a breath test. Further checks revealed he had no driver's licence.'' He added: "There were other people on the road and this was the worst piece of driving that has ever come before me.'' Thomas, of Paddock Drive, Warwick, pleaded guilty yesterday to speeding at 109 kph, having no driver's licence, driving at a dangerous speed and failing to provide a breath sample.

Thomas denied a charge of driving while impaired and the Police offered no evidence on the charge.

Mr. Francis jailed Thomas for six months for each charge of speeding, driving at a speed dangerous and failing to provide a breath sample.

All were to run concurrently, but will now be the subject of the appeal.

Thomas was also disqualified from driving for five years and fined $100 for having no driver's licence.

"This is compounded and aggravated by the fact that these speeds were being done by someone who I have to presume was driving while impaired even though you did not take the breath test,'' Mr. Francis said.

"I think about prison when it gets to a speed of 109 kph going through radar on Crow Lane.

"But this went on to Trimingham Hill and on South Road going faster trying to get away from Police at speeds in excess of 150 kph.''