A BANNED driver who nearly killed a 12-year-old boy during a high speed police chase has been jailed for 14 months.

The terrified youngster pinned himself to a wall when Jonathan Liddle mounted the pavement as he tried to evade officers in pursuit.

The bumper of Liddle’s Nissan Almera was hanging off and the boy had to jump over it to avoid being hit.

Judge Christopher Prince, sitting at Durham Crown Court, said the boy could have easily died during the incident.

The judge said: “This is the most disturbing aspect of this case and it was very distressing for the boy.

“He was pressed against the wall and describes your vehicle passing him centimetres away.

“The bumper was loose and scraping along the wall. Had he not reacted as he did by jumping in the air the bumper would have struck him in the leg.

“You nearly killed that young man or at the very least could have caused him serious injury.”

The court heard Liddle had admitted driving dangerously on School Avenue, the A177 and other roads in Coxhoe, near Durham on Sunday, August 2.

Liddle also pleaded guilty to driving while disqualified, and without insurance.

The court was told Liddle initially had two passengers when police started the chase, but one of them was dropped off as the pursuit intensified.

Liddle reached speeds of up 70mph and twice lost control before making off again.

The judge said: “You put your own life at risk and put your passenger’s life at risk.”

The court heard Liddle had been convicted of taking a vehicle without consent three times in the last ten years, as well as driving without insurance and driving in accordance with a licence.

Mitigating, Dan Cordey said his client had been in custody since August.

He said: “He has had a sharp shock in custody. He instructs me it is not something he wants to repeat. He presents as a subdued young man. He has had time to think about what he has done.”

Liddle, of New Row, Eldon Lane, near Bishop Auckland, was sentenced to 14 months in prison and told he will serve in half custody and the rest on licence.

Judge Prince, Recorder of Durham, repeated his warning to drivers who fail to pull over when requested to do so for police.

He said: “This court has repeatedly said: “Stop or go to prison. That is the decision drivers have to make.”