A YOUNG repeat motoring offender who failed to appear for his sentencing hearing just before Christmas, has finally been brought to book.

Jordan Lee Bolton admitted dangerous driving, failing to provide a breath specimen, driving while disqualified and no insurance when he appeared before magistrates last September.

The case was sent to Durham Crown Court for sentence, but when the case was called on, on December 18, he was not present and a bench warrant was issued.

Bolton, 20, of Ascot Place, Perkinsville, near Chester-le-Street, was finally brought before the court for sentence having been arrested on the warrant.

He admitted failing to surrender to custody.

The court heard the driving offences stem from him being illegally behind the wheel of a Nissan Almera, in the Stanley area, on April 22 last year, in which he drove from police, repeatedly overtook and caused at least one driver heading in the opposite direction to take evading action.

Having travelled at up to 70-mph, often in 30-limit areas, he eventually lost control and collided with a stone wall.

Bolton was arrested, but failed to provide a breath specimen for analysis and gave no comment to questioning.

The court heard the latest offences came just two days after the expiry of a previous suspended sentence.

Elizabeth Muir, mitigating, said Bolton did turn up at court for the hearing on December 18, but after being warned that he was facing a prison sentence he left so he could spend Christmas at home with his family, despite his mother trying to persuade him to return to court at the time.

Miss Muir added that Bolton was aware he now faces a prison sentence for the latest offences.

Judge Simon Hickey imposed a 12-month sentence in a young offenders’ institution for the driving matters and a further month for the bail offence, but reduced the overall term by three months due to Bolton’s early admissions.

He was also banned from driving for 41 months.