A MAN escaped a prison sentence yesterday after admitting dangerous driving.

Anthony Strudwick, 42, of St Oswald's Court, Newton Aycliffe, admitted the offence when he appeared before Teesside Crown Court.

The court heard that on the night of the incident, Strudwick's wife had told him she was "not in love with him anymore".

Robert Galley, prosecuting, said Strudwick took 48 paracetamol tablets and went out in his car. He later returned to his home, where police were waiting.

Mr Galley said: "The vehicle began driving towards the police vehicle then swerved, missing the police vehicle and driving on to the kerb. Although it was 9.30pm, there were no lights on the car."

The police car then pursued Strudwick in a chase where speeds of between 70mph to 100mph were reached.

At one point, he stopped in Heighington Lane, Aycliffe Village, then reversed sharply into a gateway, narrowly missing the police car.

Chris Baker, for Strudwick, said his client had poisoned his body with paracetemol, which had caused permanent liver damage, so he had already punished himself.

He said Strudwick had made a determined effort to take his life because of his marriage problems.

"He knows what a fool he has been. He is normally a very good and experienced driver," Mr Baker told the hearing.

Judge John De Walford said Strudwick had put lives at risk and that he had narrowly avoided a prison term.

He said: "I want you to realise how close you came to going to prison. No one should assume courts are soft on dangerous drivers, because they are not."

Strudwick was fined £2,000 and ordered to pay £120 costs. He was banned from driving for two years and ordered to take an extended driving test.