A MAN jailed over a high-speed police chase, while under the influence of drink and drugs, is also to be deprived of the car involved.

Richard Bowser, 44, of Percy Street, Bishop Auckland, recently received an 18-month sentence and a 45-month driving ban, at Durham Crown Court.

Passing sentence, Judge Ray Singh asked about ownership of the car.

When the case came back to court, Paul Abrahams, prosecuting, said inquiries confirmed it still belongs , and is registered to the defendant.

Jane Waugh, for Bowser, said: “He was told he could collect it from the salvage yard and did so with the man who was going to buy it.”

She said it would be disproportionate to add a £30,000 punishment by way of a deprivation order.

Judge Singh said on the evidence he had seen the vehicle still belongs to Bowser and so a deprivation order was not inappropriate, given the manner of his driving.

He added, however, if it legitimately belongs to someone else, they would have “recourse to other action”, to claim retention of the car.

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