A BANNED driver was yesterday jailed for 26 months after he was involved in two chases with police patrol cars within a few months.

Gary Davison sped away in a Ford Escort when he was seen by an officer, in Murton, County Durham, a month before the latest of 11 driving disqualifications was scheduled to end, last July.

He abandoned the car, but was chased and arrested.

The second incident, which took place in Durham in October, involved up to three police cars.

He was stopped several miles away. Davison, 39, of Park Street South, Castletown, Sunderland, admitted two charges each of dangerous driving and driving while disqualified.

He also admitted stealing a mobile phone from a car parked at Finchale Priory, near Durham.

He was also banned from driving for two years