A BANNED motorist with a history of dangerous driving has admitted leading police on a 100mph pursuit through the streets of a North-East town.

Matthew Clarke, 23, was behind the wheel of a gold-coloured Lexus as it careered around the streets of Darlington at around 10.40pm on Saturday.

The dramatic 20-minute chase was captured on video by a film crew from the documentary series Police Interceptors which is working with the Durham and Cleveland Road Policing Unit for a new series of the show

On Monday, Clarke, of Aldam Street, Darlington, appeared before Peterlee Magistrates' Court and entered ‘guilty’ pleas to charges of dangerous driving, driving while disqualified, driving without insurance and resisting arrest.

Heather Wilkinson, prosecuting, said: “A traffic officer was pursuing the defendant at speeds of up to 100 miles an hour, going the wrong way around roundabouts.

“The pursuit has been described by the officer as having the potential of ending in fatality.”

Officers followed Clarke around Katherine Street, Denmark Street, Whessoe Road and North Road at speeds up to 100mph.

It ended at the junction of Holmwood Grove and Mayfair Road, where the occupants of the Lexus ran off.

Ms Wilkinson said: “There was excess speed in residential areas and in built-up areas. There were a lot of people around at this time.”

Ms Wilkinson said blood samples have been taken to test for drink and drugs but have not been sent away yet.

Michael McElduff, representing Clarke, said: “The defendant has pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity and deserves full credit for that.

“He accepts responsibility for his actions although he was goaded by his friends.”

A 21-year-old passenger arrested as well as Clarke has been released without charge.

Clark is currently the subject of a seven month prison sentence, which was suspended for 18 months, imposed in December for dangerous driving in February last year.

He has also pleaded guilty to charges of dangerous driving, driving while unfit through alcohol, driving without insurance and possession of cocaine and cannabis for offences committed in October.

He is awaiting sentence at Teesside Crown Court for those matters.

Magistrates declined jurisdiction for the incident at the weekend and Clarke will be sentenced at Teesside Crown Court at later date.

He was remanded into custody until then.