A YOUNG motorist “panicked” on realising a police car was following him following a dangerous overtaking manoeuvre and then led officers on a 100mph chase, a court heard.

Craig Richard Lloyd was legally driving a Peugeot 106, on Middridge Lane, heading out of Shildon, County Durham, shortly after 10pm on Tuesday October 20.

Durham Crown Court heard that the Peugeot was seen making, “a crazy overtaking manoeuvre” on a blind bend, and was followed by a police vehicle.

Lewis Kerr, prosecuting, said the officer in the police car made it clear he wanted Lloyd to stop, but the defendant sped away, ignoring the patrol vehicle’s signals.

Mr Kerr said a pursuit followed on mainly rural roads, but also through some residential areas, at speeds of between 70 and 129-miles per hour.

The Peugeot turned onto Spout Lane, then Dale Road and the A6072, heading through Redworth, towards Newton Aycliffe, on Heighington Lane.

It was after turning onto the A167 that the chase reached the top speed of 129-mph.

Mr Kerr said the officer noted that there was little traffic on the road, at the time, but during the chase Lloyd was observed overtaking on blind bends with a pedestrian passing close by, at one stage.

But as sparks began to fly from the Peugeot’s brakes, the car slowed to a halt, pulling over at the roadside.

Mr Kerr said there were three occupants, Lloyd in the driver’s seat, with two passengers.

Lloyd made full admissions at the roadside and told the officer he simply “panicked” on seeing the police car with its blue lights and siren activated.

Despite a small number of previous motoring convictions, the court heard he was insured to drive the car and had permission to use it, that day.

Shaun Dryden, mitigating, said it belonged to his brother's girlfriend and was subsequently returned to her.

Mr Dryden told the court: “He was insured and with a full driving licence, so when he became aware of the police officer behind him, he could have simply stopped.

“It wasn’t as if he was in a stolen vehicle, or anything like that.

“Eventually he indicated he was coming to stop and there was no attempt to avoid responsibility.

“Common sense broke out as far as he was concerned.”

Twenty-one-year-old Lloyd, of Auckland Terrace, Shildon, admitted dangerous driving and failing to stop for police.

Judge Christopher Prince said any motorist choosing to ignore police requests to stop on roads in County Durham would be jailed.

Jailing him for 12 months, Judge Prince also banned Lloyd from driving for two-and-a-half years.