A BANNED driver has walked free from court despite a judge branding his driving "insane."

James White, 26, was previously jailed for a crash in a stolen car which killed a friend.

Now he has avoided prison even though his own barrister said he deserved custody.

In 1998, White, of Westerhope, Newcastle, was driving a stolen Vauxhall Nova when he lost control on a road at Darras Hall, Ponteland, and killed his passenger, Edward Dunbar, 18.

White was banned from driving and sent to a young offenders' institution after admitting aggravated vehicle taking.

Two years later, he was convicted of dangerous driving, driving with excess alcohol and failing to stop.

He never sat the extended driving test he was ordered to take.

But police saw him speeding in his Rover in Newcastle's Newbiggin Lane on February 2.

He knocked down a tree and smashed into railings in his bid to shake off patrol cars.

White admitted dangerous driving, driving while disqualified and having no insurance. He also admitted failing to give a breath specimen, later confessing to a probation officer he had been drinking.

Judge Michael Cartlidge ordered White to carry out 300 hours unpaid work and do an anti drink-driving programme.