A MAN has narrowly avoided prison after crashing his car following a high speed, booze-fuelled police chase.

Martin Collins was arrested after he wrote off his car while trying to avoid being pulled over by the police in February.

The 20-year-old, of St Johns Park, Stillington, near Stockton, was followed at high speed along Bishopton Road West, near Stockton, before hitting a roundabout.

Teesside Magistrates' Court was told he was taken to hospital and a blood test showed he was four-and-ahalf times over the limit.

He also pleaded guilty to a charge of dangerous driving.

The court heard Collins was driving at speed when he was spotted by officers on a routine patrol.

He sped off along Bishopton Road West, before careering into Bishopton Avenue, where he narrowly missed a parked car. His luck ran out when he ploughed into the roundabout at the junction of Durham Road.

Collins was taken to hospital for treatment to minor injuries, while his three passengers escaped uninjured.

In mitigation, Simon Walker said: "He has never been in trouble before and pleaded guilty at the first opportunity.

He has never tried to say anyone else was to blame but himself.

"I appreciate this is a very serious offence and it is quite clear from the report he recognises the fact.

"It would appear after foolishly taking the decision to drive, he panicked when he saw the police.

"He has made an error of judgement - he panicked and sped away. He has found himself in court looking down the barrel of a gun. He has admitted he has a problem with drink and it was a short pursuit."

Annette Meek, chairman of the bench, said: "This was a very serious matter, there were speeds in excess of 60mph and drink involved.

For these offences we are going to give you a suspended prison sentence."

Collins was given two concurrent six-month sentences, suspended for two years. He was also ordered to carry out a two-year supervision order and 200 hours of unpaid work.

The apprentice was also put on a six-month curfew between 9pm and 6am and ordered to pay £60 costs.

He was banned from driving for four years for the dangerous driving charge and a concurrent 28-month ban for drink-driving.