A disqualified driver who abandoned his mother’s car when police tried to stop him when he was caught speeding has appeared in court.
Carl Jackson was caught doing 42mph in a 30mph zone when police activated their blue lights to pull him over, Newton Aycliffe Magistrates’ Court heard.
The 32-year-old attempted to evade the police before jumping out of the car and running away while driving along Hunwick Way in Sunnybrow, near Willington.
Yetunde Alake, prosecuting, said: “The police followed the defendant’s vehicle, he failed to stop for 200 yards.
“The defendant then stopped and exited the vehicle and ran into nearby gardens but returned shortly after.”
Miss Alake said a check showed that the defendant was banned from driving and had taken his mother’s car without her permission.
Jackson, of Huntsgarth, Sunnybrow, Willngton, pleaded guilty to driving whilst disqualified, taking a car without the owner’s consent, failing to stop for an officer, speeding and driving without insurance on January 11.
Amrit Jandoo, mitigating, said his client had entered his guilty pleas as soon as possible and was now receiving treatment for his mental health.
He said: “He has been to the doctors and his medication is working and he is feeling better in himself.”
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Colonel Ian Simpson, the chairman of the magistrates’ bench, sentenced Jackson to 16 weeks in prison, suspended for 18 months.
He said: “I think with your history and your new offences, it takes you over the custody threshold, but we are going to step back from that and suspend it.
“If this was to take place again there is only one place that you will be going.”
Jackson was banned from driving for 12-months and ordered to take an extended retest. He was also told to attend 25 rehabilitation activity requirement days and carry out 200 hours of unpaid work.
