A DRUG driver's attempt to flee police ended when he smashed his car into a parked van.

Nathan Sloan reached speeds of 75mph while four times over the limit for driving under the influence of cocaine.

The 29-year-old raced around the streets of Billingham after he refused to pullover for police when they spotted him driving erratically in the early hours of June 24 last year.

Prosecutor Uzma Khan told Teesside Crown Court it was around 4.35am when police spotted a Seat Altea with front end damage had stalled at a roundabout on Longfellow Road, Billingham.

When they activated their blue lights Sloan initially looked to be pulling over before accelerating away, she said.

The offshore worker took officers on a six-minute high-speed pursuit around the roads of Billingham where he reached speeds of up to 75mph.

Miss Khan told the court how Sloan sped along Marsh House Avenue where he ran a red light, before proceeding to The Causeway where he sped away again reaching speeds of 50mph in the 30mph zone.

She added: "He continued taking sharp turns in order to avoid the police, straddling the road across the white line and diving repeatedly onto the other side of the carriageway. No caution is shown at the junctions before he lost control of the vehicle and swung out onto the oncoming carriageway hitting the kerb."

The court heard he came to a shuddering halt on Central Avenue after ploughing into a van. The vehicle was written off and the owner was forced to miss two days of work.

Five grip sealed bags of cannabis were also found in the car when police searched it and a roadside swipe test showed he was under the influence of cocaine.

Sloan, of Turton Road, Yarm, pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, drug driving and possession of Class B cannabis.

Jonathan Walker, in mitigation, said his client had suffered from some mental health issues at the the beginning of Covid lockdown last March but was now back working offshore after being furloughed from work for several months.

Judge Recorder Simon Jackson QC sentenced Sloan, of Turton Road, Yarm, to 12 months in prison suspended for 24 months and banned him from driving for 18 months.

He must also carry out 30 rehabilitation activity requirement days, drug rehabilitation requirements, 150 hours unpaid work, pay £500 in compensation and £230 costs.

The judge added: "This is a very serious course of criminal conduct, you have got yourself back working which is commendable, but you need help with thinking skills and decision making.

"Covid may have been a factor but we have all been through lockdown, I have taken it into account, but it can never be an excuse."

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