Michael Copley, Staff Writer

Gregory Hampton was in a stolen Cadillac when he led police on a high speed chase on Route 60 that topped out at over 100 M.P.H. and wound through the courthouse and village area at speeds in excess of 70 m.p.h. He struck a motorcycle at a stop light on Route 60 and Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Richard Cox said Hampton came inches from killing the motorist.

There were stolen tools in the trunk of the car and Hampton said he planned to sell them for drug money.

The car and the tools were taken from the Body Shop on Route 60.

During the sentencing hearing last week, Cox said it would be “hard to find a more aggravated case that didn’t injure anyone.”

Last term the court found Hampton guilty of petit larceny, two counts of grand larceny, burglary, reckless driving, eluding police, and hit and run.

Last week he was sentenced to nine years in prison.

“Couple the facts with his record- the only way to protect society is to put him away for as long as possible,” said Cox.

“I’m not a bad person,” Hampton told the court before being sentenced. “I just had a problem with drugs for a long time. My record doesn’t reflect the person I am.”

It was noted that Hampton has six prior felony convictions.

“Weeks go by and I don’t see anyone with a record as bad as yours,” Judge Warren told him. “Maybe you’re sorry and maybe you’re not. We have to deal with the facts…you’re a menace.”

The court’s sentence was a year shy of the Commonwealth’s request.