A banned driver led police on a dangerous high-speed chase that ended when he jumped out of a moving van in a bid to escape.
Robert Holiday had no insurance and was disqualified from driving when police caught him behind the wheel of a VW van with a passenger on October 1 this year. Upon seeing the police, the 34-year-old took off, leading officers on a five minute chase that saw him hit speeds of up to 85mph before jumping out of the vehicle and letting it plough into a fence.
After a short chase on foot, Holiday, who has an "awful record" of dangerous driving convictions, was arrested but asked police if there was any chance they could "get rid" of the dangerous driving offence. Holiday, of Stanley Way, Billy Row, Crook, appeared at Durham Crown Court on Wednesday to be sentenced for dangerous driving, driving whilst disqualified, resisting arrest and driving without insurance. He had pleaded guilty to the offences.
