A 26-YEAR-OLD driver whose car had to be forcibly stopped by police after a pursuit through a North-East town was jailed for 15 months yesterday.

Wayne Parker, 26 of Braithwaite Road, Peterlee, east Durham, admitted dangerous driving, damaging a vehicle, being unlicensed and uninsured to drive, having defective tyres and absconding.

Shaun Dryden, prosecuting, told Teesside Crown Court how Parker was spotted by two police officers as he drove erratically in Hartlepool.

Followed by the officers in a three-mile pursuit, Parker had driven at speeds up to 80mph in a 30mph zone, had gone through a number of red traffic lights and executed two handbrake turns.

He was eventually forced to stop which resulted in the police vehicle needing £2,000 worth of repairs and leaving one of the officers with a back injury.

Defence counsel Paul Cleasby told the court that Parker, who is serving a prison term, realised he faced another custodial sentence.

He admitted the offences but could give no sensible explanation as to why he had taken flight, other than he had been very depressed on the day and had acted in a "moment of madness".

Sentencing Parker, Recorder Ian Thorp told Parker his driving on the night of the offences had been "appalling".

Parker was disqualified from driving for three years and ordered to take an extended driving test.