A YOUNG banned driver engaged in a pursuit with police while on his way to court in his brother’s car to answer for previous motoring offences.

The manner of Mark Coxon’s driving in his brother’s MG ZR caught the attention of a passing police patrol on the A691 Lanchester to Consett road, at 10.15am on June 9.

Durham Crown Court heard that as the police car turned, the MG accelerated, performing dangerous overtaking manoeuvres.

Ros Scott Bell, prosecuting, said this began a 12-mile chase, from Delves Lane, Consett, to Leadgate, down Maiden Law bank, and through Lanchester at speeds up to 90-miles per hour, in which Coxon ignored ‘give way’ signs, ignored red lights, took a roundabout the wrong way and caused oncoming cars to swerve or stop.

It was only after officers deployed a ‘stinger’ device, which Coxon hit at 60-mph, that the car slowed as both front tyres deflated and began to shred.

Miss Scott Bell said Coxon still continued, before he lost control and was blocked in by the patrol car.

When police arrested Coxon they found a "terrified" girl on the back seat, while his brother was in the front seat.

Coxon told officers he was in a hurry to get to Magistrates' Court in Consett and had borrowed his brother’s car.

Miss Scott Bell said Coxon’s brother has since been dealt with at the court for allowing him to drive the car uninsured.

At Durham Crown Court, 27-year-old Coxon, of East Close, South Shields, admitted dangerous driving, driving while disqualified and without insurance, arising from the June 9 pursuit.

The court heard he has a previous offence of dangerous driving, also a police chase, and seven convictions for driving disqualified on his record.

Chris Baker, mitigating, told the court the defendant conceded there was little to be said other than the fact Coxon put in prompt ‘guilty’ pleas.

Jailing him for a total of 19 months, Judge Christopher Prince told Coxon: “You were not only on bail at the time of this offence, you were on your way to attend a court hearing.

“The course of driving you engaged in was just about as bad as it gets.

“In the event, no-one was injured, but that was just pure luck.”

He was also banned from driving for three years and eight-and-a-half months.