A DISABLED man has been jailed for a police chase which reached speeds of 120mph.

David Patterson suffered severe injuries when he jumped from a window to flee an attack several years ago.

He was already banned from the roads when he was pulled over on the A66 at 2.30am after picking up his partner from Darlington railway station.

The offence in the early hours of October 23 was Patterson’s sixth conviction for driving while disqualified, and he was locked up for ten months.

The 53-year-old’s barrister also told Teesside Crown Court how Patterson undergoes annual problems with his benefits and was “at the lowest low ebbs” financially when he drove again.

Robin Turton, mitigating, said Patterson’s son had moved away, leaving him without someone to drive him to appointments.

His girlfriend travelled to the North-East to help out, said Mr Turton, and he “stupidly” decided to drive.

Police pulled over the Renault Scenic because of a lights problem, but Patterson then sped off.

Prosecutor Nigel Soppitt said the chase went into Stockton town centre, onto the A66 and through Acklam and Linthorpe. Patterson raced over road humps at almost 60mph in a 20mph residential area, reached speeds of 120mph in a 50mph section of the A66 and went through several red lights.

In central Middlesbrough the car was clocked at 77mph in a 30mph zone, before Patterson stopped and fled at a dead-end, leaving his girlfriend. He was caught seconds later and later admitted dangerous driving, driving while disqualified and without insurance.

Judge Howard Crowson told him: “I’m asked to consider that you didn’t think, but the reality is you must have thought because you had been to prison before.”

Patterson, of Newcomen Green, Middlesbrough, was banned for a further three years and will have to take an extended test before reapplying for a licence.