A DANGEROUS driver who only stopped when he crashed into a police car has been jailed.

Jamie Walton led police on a chase so dangerous it had to be called off, during the incident on October 18.

The 31-year-old stole a black Nissan Juke car and drove through residential streets in Darlington at more than twice the speed limit before running several red lights.

He was pursued by a police car at about 9.20pm along the A66 and a stinger attempt failed in Great Burdon, near Darlington, when Walton veered onto the wrong side of the road.

He was then chased along the A688 where he was seen driving head-on towards vehicles and at that point the pursuit was called off as it was so dangerous.

However, officers continued to follow Walton at a safe distance before turning blue lights back on and taking up the chase again in West Auckland.

Walton again went through red lights near to the town’s Tesco store before going through Woodhouse Close estate.

Another stinger was then successful and Walton was eventually stopped in Duck Street, Bishop Auckland, after a police car was pulled in front of the vehicle. Walton was dragged from the car and arrested.

He failed a roadside drug test but refused to give a blood sample at the police station.

He pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, having no insurance, driving while disqualified, failing to provide a blood specimen and taking a car without the owner’s consent, at Durham Crown Court on Friday.

In mitigation, Walton’s solicitor said he would accept any punishment and had entered his guilty pleas at the earliest opportunity.

Walton appeared via videolink from Durham Prison after being remanded but was said to have been working in horticulture and keeping out of trouble.

Recorder Euan Duff described Walton’s driving as “dreadful” especially considering his record but said he had “been straightforward” with the court.

He handed Walton a total of 12 months in prison and also activated an eight-week suspended prison sentence that will be served consecutively. He also disqualified him from driving for three years and six months.