An uninsured driver took the “stupid” decision to take his sister’s car for a ride at night, resulting in him becoming involved in a high-speed chase with police.

Jonathan Bentham took the Vauxhall Corsa which was locked and parked outside his sister’s home, at about 11pm, on Saturday June 4 this year.

Durham Crown Court heard that the Corsa came to the attention of officers in a police patrol vehicle in the Thornley area and so the defendant picked up speed to try to get away from them.

Matthew Hopkins, prosecuting, said Bentham initially drove at 50-miles per hour in 30-limited residential streets, and then accelerated to approximately 65mph passing through a traffic calming chicane and over speed humps.

Mr Hopkins said another motorist had to pull over to avoid a collision, while on some parts of the pursuit there were lines of parked vehicles on both sides of the street, and two pedestrians were walking down a road as Bentham raced past them.

The police officers giving chase lost sight of the defendant at one stage and decided to abandon the pursuit as it was considered unsafe to continue.

Read more: Driver abandoned car after police chase in County Durham

Mr Hopkins said the defendant was arrested later and made admissions, telling police that he took the decision to drive his sister’s car and was too frightened to stop, knowing he was not insured to get behind the wheel of the Corsa.

The court heard that although he is relatively lightly convicted, his record does, however, include a previous offence of taking a vehicle without the owner’s consent and driving without insurance, both from 2016.

Judge James Adkins asked for a short probation report to be prepared before he passed sentence.

The probation officer who prepared the report told the court the defendant was remorseful for taking the car for a drive that night and knew it was, “a very stupid thing to do.”

Bentham’s counsel, Kelly Sherif agreed, adding: “It was a foolish decision that led him somewhere where he didn’t realise it would.”

Read more: BMW driven in chase with police from Durham found outside address in Washington

The 32-year-old defendant, an unemployed dry liner, of the Gables, Thornley, admitted charges of aggravated vehicle taking and dangerous driving.

Judge James Adkin said although it was a relatively short chase, Bentham posed a risk for other road users and pedestrians, which could have had serious consequences had he left the road.

“Your blameworthiness was high. You were driving at grossly excessive speeds.

“But we have heard that this was out of character for someone who wants to stay on the right side of the law.”

He imposed a community order to include a four-month electronically-monitored 7pm to 7am home curfew and banned Bentham from driving for a year.

The defendant must then pass an extended re-test if he wants to drive legally following the period of disqualification.

Read next:

Chase driver deliberately drove on wrong side of road during police pursuit

Dangerous high-speed chase took place on busy roads in Peterlee

Durham man jailed for Range Rover police chase on A690

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