A BANNED motorist is behind bars for one of the worst cases of dangerous driving ever seen by an experienced police pursuit officer.

Daniel Henry raced through three red lights onto main roads during the chase through Middlesbrough in the early hours of the morning.

Judge Howard Crowson told the 30-year-old it was only good luck that he did not hit another car, adding: "It carried a great risk."

Henry, of Central Avenue, Middlesbrough, was jailed for 14 months after he admitted dangerous driving and driving while disqualified.

His lawyer told Teesside Crown Court that Henry's partner persuaded him to take her to her mother's home, and she felt responsible.

But Judge Crowson said: "She should not feel as though she is to blame. He is 30 years old, and knew he was not supposed to be driving."

He told Henry, who also admitted having no insurance: "This driving was very bad. The officer chasing you says it was some of the worst he's ever seen.

"It may have been early in the morning, but you were crossing some significant junctions on red lights and it was really a matter of chance there was not a terrible accident.

"You had your partner in the car. I find it hard to accept she was so persuasive to make you drive."

Uzma Khan, mitigating, said Henry had acted "foolishly and stupidly" to get behind the wheel at 4am on July 18 last year.

The pursuit began in Kings Road, North Ormesby, and continued to Longlands Road, Marton Road, Clareville Road, Linthorpe Road, and into Ayresome Street and Acklam Road where the car crashed into a bollard.

Prosecutor Nigel Soppitt said Henry tried to run from the scene, but was detained after a struggle.