A banned motorist, who was subject to a suspended prison sentence, made the mistake of driving past a marked police vehicle which was travelling at 70-miles per hour on the A1(M), a court heard.

Daniel Clayton was at the wheel of a friend’s BMW which overtook the police car at high speed on the dual carriageway at Carrville, near Durham, shortly after midnight on Thursday July 28.

Durham Crown Court was told the officers in the patrol vehicle activated its blue lights in a bid to persuade the BMW driver to stop.

But, Christopher Bevan, prosecuting, said Clayton continued, coming off the A1(M) at the next junction, heading to Byers Garth roundabout and on to Sherburn Village, where he took a corner at 80mph, ignored a red light at a temporary road signal, and sped on at between 60 and 70mph.

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On reaching Belmont, Clayton reached 90mph on 30-limit roads, before being forced to a halt at a dead end, in Birkdale Gardens.

Mr Bevan said although Clayton tried to run away one of the officers drew his taser stun device enabling him to complete the arrest.

As there was a smell of alcohol on his breath the defendant received a roadside test which proved positive and at the police station gave a reading of 44mg in breach, compared to the legal limit of 35mg.

Mr Bevan said it transpired that Clayton was banned from driving and the court heard his “quite terrible” record features several previous motoring offences.

He added that the chase lasted only about ten minutes but did take in some residential areas at high speed, albeit at night.

The 28-year-old defendant, formerly of Beech Avenue, Spennymoor, admitted dangerous and drink driving, while disqualified, failing to sop when required and no insurance.

Warren Ridley, for Clayton, told the court: “There’s little to put forward in mitigation except the timing of his guilty pleas at the lower court.

“Although he took the realistic view not to seek bail because he accepts his actions, having landed him in custody, he accepts that’s where he’s going to remain today.

Mr Ridley said Clayton has had a spiral of going to custody for driving matters, coming out, seeking employment, driving again and ending back behind bars.

“In this case the vehicle was borrowed from a friend who he told he was able to drive it as he had a licence and therefore he misled a friend to drive that vehicle.”

Mr Ridley said Clayton, who he said was “sofa surfing” at the time, had, “a modest” amount to drink at the friend’s home.

Following a disagreement, which he did not seek to escalate, he took the “very bad decision” to drive away in the BMW.

“He accepts he made off in a lengthy chase with bad driving.”

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Judge James Adkin said given his, “grossly excessive speeds”, 110mph in a 70-area, 70 in a 30 and, then, 90 in a 30: “The harm is the risk of serious accident or death to other road users and the police.”

Judge Adkin imposed an 18-month prison sentence, including four months activated from a previous suspended sentence, which he said had to be an immediate sentence: “Because you appear to be a young man with a compulsion to drive dangerously in uninsured vehicles and pose a risk to the the public is imminent, with the risk you will drive again.”

Clayton was also banned from driving for three years on his release from custody.

Read next:

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               Banned driver went wrong way down the A1(M) in County Durham

               Head-on crash on County Durham road after man rowed with partner coming home from camping trip

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