A VAN driver refused to stop for police and sped off in an ultimately vain escape bid as a passenger was wanted for another crime, a court heard.

Despite that explanation for defendant Ashton Mansfield’s actions at the wheel of a Vauxhall Combo, on December 3, he was jailed for six months at Durham Crown Court.

The court heard that two officers on mobile patrol noticed the van crossing centre white lines, as they headed westwards at Pelton Fell, near Chester-le-Street, shortly after 2pm.

Phillip Morley, prosecuting, said the officers turned and followed the van onto Whitehill Way, Chester-le-Street, where the patrol car siren was activated and blue flashing lights were illuminated.

Mr Morley said the van picked up speed and a chase followed as Mansfield reached 60-miles per hour on 30-limit roads, overtaking several vehicles and taking a roundabout onto Waldridge Road, in the wrong direction.

Passing through Waldridge Village, heading for Edmondsley, the van topped 60, peaking at 75mph, before turning onto the B6532 Edmondsley Lane, heading via Daisy Hill to Sacriston.

Mr Morley said the van continued overtaking, even on blind bends, and, reaching Sacriston, turned left onto St Peter’s Court, before driving onto onto a grassy embankment, where two figures abandoned the vehicle.

Mansfield was detained at the end of the four-mile, four minute pursuit.

When interviewed, he gave no response to police questions, but, the 23-year-old defendant, of Coates Close, Stanley, admitted dangerous driving at a subsequent court hearing.

Mr Morley told the sentencing hearing that he has offences of careless driving and vehicle taking on his record.

Christopher McKee, mitigating, said those offences were committed as a youth offender and, until this offence, Mansfield kept out of trouble for almost five years.

Mr McKee told the court: “Thankfully, no-one was injured and no property was damaged.”

He said Mansfield was driving to work for his father when he was approached by “two individuals”.

“One, who he does not wish to name, is well known in the community, but, at the time, was wanted by police.”

Mr McKee said having agreed to give them a lift, Mansfield was persuaded to speed away when the police signalled for him to stop.

Despite being urged to pass a non-custodial sentence, Judge Deborah Sherwin said it was only, “great good fortune”, no-one was injured.

Jailing him, she also banned Mansfield from driving for 15 months.