A BANNED driver led police on a “dangerous and reckless” pursuit after being spotted at the wheel of his friend’s vehicle which he borrowed to get to work.

Jason Lee Cheesey drove at 70-miles per hour in 40-limit areas and at 50 in 30-limit residential streets in the Bishop Auckland area, during which he overtook several other vehicles on blind bends and zig-zagged either side of the centre white line of roads.

Durham Crown Court was told it culminated in the Volkswagen Bora colliding with a Royal Mail lorry, which was damaged, but the driver was not hurt.

Anthony Pettengell, prosecuting, said Cheesey was banned from the roads for six months in January for twice driving without insurance.

But he came to police attention when the Bora overtook another vehicle on the wrong side of a traffic sign on Lambton Drive, Bishop Auckland, shortly before 7am on May 1.

Mr Pettengell said the whole chase lasted only a few minutes, starting and ending near the A689 roundabout.

The 23-year-old defendant, of Blackett Street, Bishop Auckland, who has 23 convictions for 35 offences, admitted dangerous driving, driving while disqualified and without insurance.

Tony Davis, mitigating, said while it would not be unjust to impose an immediate prison sentence, he urged Judge Jonathan Carroll to pass a suspended sentence as Cheesey has begun work with a building company, with long-term job prospects.

But, passing an immediate six-month prison sentence, Judge Carroll told Cheesey: “This frankly dangerous and reckless piece of driving is indicative of your attitudes, showing an utter disregard for other road users.”

He also banned Cheesey from driving for 15 months.