A cocaine addict who led police on a high-speed chase through narrow Black Country streets has avoided being sent to prison.

Paul Nash clocked up speeds of up to 63mph in a 30mph area as he tried to get rid of officers pursuing the VW Golf he was driving in the early hours.

Mr Hugh O’Brien Quinn, prosecuting, told Stafford Crown Court that other vehicles were forced to pull over and stop as the car went the wrong way round a traffic island and ignored give-way signs at junctions.

Nash, aged 26, of Leander Close, Walsall, admitted aggravated vehicle taking, driving while disqualified, having no insurance and possession of a small amount of cannabis.

He was yesterday given a 12-month prison sentence suspended for two years, put on a two-year supervision order with a drug rehabilitation requirement, told to do 80 hours’ unpaid work in the community and banned from driving for two years.

Mr O’Brien Quinn said that on the night of September 25-26, a house in Wardles Lane, Great Wyrley, was burgled and two sets of car keys were taken.

One set belonged to the Golf and the second was used to move a car which was blocking it on the driveway.

A few hours later  officers in an unmarked police vehicle saw it being driven by Nash in Lower Prestwood Road, Wednesfield.

When the officers turned on their blue lights the Golf drove off at speed and when it pulled up Nash and a passenger got out and ran off.

A police dog eventually tracked Nash down and he admitted driving the car but denied being involved in the burglary.

When he was arrested he was screened and tested positive for cocaine. He also had a small amount of cannabis in his possession.

Mr Ekwall Tiwana, for Nash, said his client had received a call in the early hours from a drug dealer he owed money to, saying he was wanted as a driver.

He agreed to drive the Golf and was following another car when the police became involved. Mr Tiwana said Nash had since minimised his drug use.