A MAN who drove on the wrong side of the road and mounted the pavement while being pursued by police has been jailed.

John Bowes almost hit several cars and two pedestrians as he tried to escape the police in a stolen car this February.

Teesside Crown Court heard the officer chasing the 43-year-old was forced to stop because the lunchtime pursuit in Stockton became too dangerous.

But hours later Bowes, who was over the limit due to a "cocktail of drugs" and was disqualified from driving, handed himself to police after abandoning the vehicle.

Jenny Hague, prosecuting, said Bowes was spotted by a policeman in an unmarked vehicle but accelerated to 80mph in a 30mph zone once the officer switched the vehicle's lights and siren on.

She said: "He drove into oncoming traffic and on the wrong side of the road. He mounted the pavement, two pedestrians were forced to move out of the way.

"The officer felt it was too dangerous to continue the pursuit.

"The car was found abandoned and a small wrap of heroin was found. Later in the day the defendant presented himself at Stockton police station.

"He was found to have morphine, codeine and methanol in his system."

She added Bowes admitted he found the car on a driveway and had taken it without the owner's consent, however a complaint was never filed.

Nigel Soppitt, defending, said Bowes accepted he was reckless and is sorry for taking his friend's father's car.

He said: "He drove because he received a letter saying his disqualification was over but he didn't read it properly and it actually was going to end later that month.

"He said he panicked and knew he had £30 of drugs in the car. He was withdrawing from heroin at the time, he just wanted drugs and thought driving would be quicker than walking.

"He wasn't caught, he handed himself in which shows a true sense of contrition."

He added Bowes has since taken part in a drug recovery programme and wanted to contribute to society.

Judge Peter Armstrong said Bowes has previously been convicted of driving offences and already been subjected to a disqualification.

He said: "You caused other vehicles to nearly be hit, and pedestrians. You were over the limit for a cocktail of drugs but having gotten away from police you gave yourself up."

Bowes, of Rake Avenue, Stockton, admitted to dangerous driving, driving whilst under the influence of drugs, driving whilst disqualified, possession of heroin and driving without insurance.

He was handed six months in prison and is disqualified from driving for three years.