A PERSISTENT driving nuisance was told he should expect to go to jail every time he gets behind the wheel.

The warning was given to Gavin Lee Monaghan as he was imprisoned for 20 months for his latest driving offence, committed in Easington Colliery, County Durham, in the early hours of January 8.

Durham Crown Court was told two officers in a marked police vehicle spotted a Ford Ka driving at an excessive speed in Station Road, shortly after midnight.

Following a chase in which the driver cut corners, sped through residential streets and ignored Give Way signs, the Ka was abandoned on a grassed area near Office Street.

Peter Sabiston, prosecuting, said two figures fled from the passenger door and both Monaghan and another man were found hiding nearby.

Despite claiming his friend was at the wheel, Monaghan, 36, of Noble Street, Easington Colliery, subsequently admitted driving dangerously, while disqualified and without insurance.

The court heard he has more than 100 convictions, dating from his teenage years.

Jane Waugh, mitigating, said although it was his friend’s car, he accepted responsibility for the driving that night.

Miss Waugh said, “happily”, there were no injuries or damage caused.

She said he had been on a “downward spiral”, taking drugs, at the time, but he he remained substance free, while in custody, and is motivated to maintain that when he next gains his freedom.

Jailing him, Judge Christopher Prince told Monaghan: “You are a persistent offender and don’t seem able to leave vehicles alone.

“You must understand when offenders won’t keep away from motor vehicles the courts will have no option but to keep them in prison, to keep them off the roads.”

Judge Prince also banned Monaghan from driving for a further 34 months.