A MAN who took police on a high speed chase when they spotted him driving his 4X4 Jeep in an erratic manner has narrowly avoided a prison sentence.

Karl Robinson almost ploughed into a police car before heading off-road as he drove across a field at the Harold Wilson Recreation Centre in Thornaby.

The 29-year-old managed to lose the pursuing police vehicle but was soon spotted by another police unit as he took a roundabout on the wrong side of the road.

Anthony Pettengell, prosecuting, said Robinson managed to evade the police car but his 4x4 was soon spotted in a ditch.

He said: "The driver, later identified as Robinson, was seen near nearby removing his outer layers of clothing and hiding them in bushes and a bin before being detained shortly after.

"The clothing was found to contain a butterfly knife and three rocks of white powder which later tested positive for cocaine."

Teesside Crown Court heard how the vehicle had suffered damage to the front end, lost its front number plate and had a false plate on the rear, following the pursuit at around 7.30pm on April 27 last year.

When he was breathalysed by police he gave a reading of 94 mg per 100ml of breath – three times the legal limit.

The court heard he had previous driving offences on his record including drink driving.

Robinson, of Westbury Street, Stockton, pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, possession of an offensive weapon, possession of a Class A drug, drink driving, and driving without a licence or insurance.

Michele Turner, in mitigation, urged the judge to follow the recommendations in her client's pre-sentence report and pass a suspended sentence.

She said there is an 'awful lot' of work being recommended by the probation service and called on the judge 'not to over-burden' Robinson with conditions.

Recorder Thomas Moran sentenced Robinson to ten months in custody, suspended for 12 months.

He said: "The driving was undoubtedly dangerous and other road users were significantly inconvenienced, you could have, in fact, been seriously injured as a result of what you did and attempted to run off at the end."

Robinson was ordered to carry out 35 rehabilitation activity requirement days and was given a three month curfew.

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