A banned driver led police on a high speed chase through the streets of Peterlee before skidding to a halt and fleeing on foot.
Malcolm Kennedy took off from police in a Vauxhall Corsa when they tried to pull him over on February 28. The 41-year-old had only recently been released from prison for other driving offences and was disqualified from driving for four years at the time.
Kennedy led officers on a high-speed pursuit where he hit speeds of up to 70mph in 30mph zones and mounted kerbs and went the wrong way round a roundabout. The chase finally ended in a cul-de-sac, with an officer having to draw a Taser before he surrendered. A roadside test found that Kennedy had cocaine in his system, but he refused to provide further samples when taken to the police station.
Read more: Police investigation after 63-year-old woman was raped in Rising Sun Country Park in Wallsend
Kennedy, of Marine Crescent, Blackhall Colliery, appeared at Durham Crown Court on Tuesday via link from HMP Durham to be sentenced for dangerous driving, driving whilst disqualified, failing to provide a sample, and driving without a licence or insurance.
Ellen Wright, prosecuting, said officers were patrolling Peterlee in a marked vehicle when they spotted Kennedy driving a Vauxhall Corsa. "The officers thought the vehicle may have displayed cloned plates to a vehicle registered in the south of England," she said.
"Upon illuminating the blue lights and activating the sirens, the defendant immediately began to speed away from the officers. The defendant moved into the opposite lane and overtook vehicles at speed. He accelerated away at 70mph in a 30mph zone, turned right and braked sharply."
Ms Wright said Kennedy drove dangerously through a T-junction where cars were passing and mounted a nearside kerb before driving onto a grass verge near Neville Road. She said the officers stated Kennedy had a "complete disregard for other road users" as he drove the wrong way round a roundabout in the path of oncoming vehicles.
She added: "The police described other vehicles taking evasive action in order to avoid a collision and the defendant braked heavily and made two sharp left turns into a residential area. He hit a bump, causing the vehicle to bounce and all four wheels left the ground."
The chase finally ended when Kennedy hit another kerb and "skidded to a stop" in a cul-de-sac. He then fled on foot before an officer caught up with him and drew his Taser. A drugs wipe carried out on Kennedy tested positive for cocaine, the court heard, but he refused to give more samples when at the station.
The court was told Kennedy had 35 previous convictions for 86 offences, including a "long history" of driving matters dating back to 1998. In November, last year, he was given an 18 week prison sentence and banned from driving for four years for driving whilst disqualified and refusing to provide a specimen.
Jane Waugh, defending, said Kennedy had pleaded guilty at an early opportunity, saying that was his "most powerful mitigation". "He has a bad record but only really in the last couple of years have driving matters come to the fore again. He says he is addicted to crack cocaine and heroin and he feels for the first time in his life his family are behind him and they want him to succeed."
Judge Robert Spragg branded Kennedy a "prolific offender" and jailed him for 14 months. Kennedy was also banned from driving for four years and seven months, and he will have to do an extended driving test.
