A BANNED driver almost knocked over a pensioner as he fled from police.

Officers followed Steven William Hendry when he was spotted at the wheel of a Renault car, on the A19 in County Durham, on February 12.

He left the A19 and accelerated into Murton, turning into a back lane off Dalton Terrace.

Durham Crown Court heard that a female pedestrian had to jump to avoid a collision.

Lesley Kirkup, prosecuting, said the 68-year-old later told police: "He would have killed me if I hadn't jumped out of the way."

Hendry abandoned the car and attempted to hide, but was found by police.

He claimed he did not see the pedestrian, saying he merely drove into the lane to turn round to shake off the police.

The court heard Hendry was jailed for four months and banned from driving for two years for driving while disqualified, in March last year He has 14 previous convictions for driving while disqualified.

Hendry, 37, of Porter Terrace, Murton, had earlier admitted burglary, careless driving and driving while disqualified.

Lorraine Mustard, mitigiating, said the burglary was "opportunistic".

Judge Peter Armstrong imposed an 18-month community order, with 150 hours' unpaid work and a further four-month driving ban.