A DRIVER who led police on a dangerous chase begged to be locked up yesterday - but was allowed to walk free.

Judge Tony Briggs ignored Kieron Robinson's pleas to be sent to prison and suspended his custodial sentence.

The 25-year-old left court with a warning and a driving ban - and an abusive gesture for The Northern Echo's photographer.

The Northern Echo:
PLEA IGNORED: Kieron Robinson begged to be sent to jail

While most barristers argue hard to keep their clients out of jail, Robinson's said he wanted to be imprisoned.

Jim Withyman told Teesside Crown Court: "He has a chaotic life and he has real trouble keeping appointments.

"Since he doesn't have a settled address, he would have trouble keeping appointments if he was given a community penalty.

"He is realistic and would ask Your Honour to take the only course you can, and that's a custodial sentence.

"He doesn't instruct me to put forward any more mitigation . . . he pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity."

The court heard that Robinson, who turned up in a pair of wellies, failed to turn up for a meeting with a probation officer to compile a pre-sentence report.

When he was arrested after the pursuit on April 26, he told police: "I've smoked cannabis, but I don't use needles."

Prosecutor Emma Atkinson said he failed a roadside drugs test, but refused to provide a sample for a second one.

He had no driving licence and the Ford Fiesta was not insured when he was involved in the chase through Hartlepool.

Miss Atkinson said he drove across a grassed area and through narrow barriers as he tried to outrun police patrol cars.

The 1am drama came to an end when the car developed a mechanical fault, the clutch failed and it shuddered to a halt.

Judge Briggs told a bemused-looking Robinson: "It is just possible to pass on you a suspended sentence.

"This crosses the custody threshold, but pleading guilty at the first opportunity is a matter of some importance."

He added: "You drove off and drove dangerously, but happily there appears to be neither damage nor injury.

"Those under the influence who engage police in a chase, however short, must understand that they risk immediate custody."

Robinson, of The Front, Seaton Carew, admitted dangerous driving, failing to provide a specimen and having no licence or insurance.

He was banned from the roads for three years and given a six-month prison sentence which was suspended for two years.