A banned drink-driver led police on a high-speed chase in his friend's BMW.
Uninsured driver Daniel Clayton overtook officers on the A1 on July 28 this year, but failed to stop when they tried to pull him over. The 28-year-old - who was disqualified from driving and had no licence - then led officers on a high-speed chase that lasted around 10 minutes and saw him hit speeds of up to 110mph.
Clayton, of no fixed address, appeared at Durham Crown Court via link from HMP Durham on Wednesday to be sentenced for dangerous driving, driving whilst disqualified, drink-driving, failing to stop, and driving without insurance or a licence. He had previously pleaded guilty to the offences.
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Christopher Bevan, prosecuting, said on July 28, police were patrolling the A1 in a marked vehicle when Clayton overtook them at high speed in a black BMW. But when the officers tried to pull him over, he "continued to drive on". He said: "He led police on a high speed pursuit which lasted around 10 minutes through residential areas at extremely excessive speeds."
Mr Bevan said Clayton drove through Sherburn Village and turned a tight corner at 80mph before driving through temporary traffic lights at up to 70mph. He then drove through Belmont at 90mph in a 30mph zone. He added: "The pursuit came to an end when the defendant turned into a dead end. After stopping he tried to run away but an officer drew a Taser to secure him and he was arrested."
The court heard that when Clayton was finally caught, he failed a roadside breath test for alcohol. Further tests at a police station confirmed he had been drinking. He was said to have a "terrible record" for driving offences.
Warren Ridley, defending, asked the judge to give him "substantial credit" for his guilty pleas and said every time Clayton "transgressed" it was due to obtaining a car for work. He said: "He has learned the error of his ways and does intend to seek a driving licence and become legal on the road."
Mr Ridley added that the BMW belonged to a friend and said Clayton "misled" the person by saying he had a licence and asked to borrow it. He said: "He was leading a transient lifestyle and was staying at a friend's. There was a disagreement and he took the very bad decision to drive away in the vehicle."
Judge James Adkin said Clayton hit speeds of up to "110mph in 70mph" zones, had a "compulsion to drive dangerously in uninsured vehicles" and said there was an "imminent risk" to other road users at the time. Clayton was jailed for 18 months and banned from driving for three years and nine months.
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