Dangerous driver in 90mph police chase through Wolverhampton

Nathan Paul was at the wheel of a red Focus ST taken without the permission of the owner when spotted by officers, a judge heard.

They thought he appeared slumped in the driver's seat and decided to investigate.

But the 29-year-old, who was on licence from a prison sentence for drug offences, 'panicked' when the marked patrol car started to follow him, Wolverhampton Crown Court was told.

He accelerated down Thompson Avenue, Parkfields, at twice the speed limit and went through four sets of red traffic lights in an unsuccessful bid to lose his pursuers while racing down a string of neighbouring streets, said Mr Rhydian James, prosecuting.

Paul went on the wrong side of the road, overtook vehicles on both the brow of a hill and a blind corner before reaching 90mph in a 40mph zone on the Birmingham New Road, continued the lawyer.

Paul admitted dangerous driving, taking a vehicle without consent and driving without both a valid licence and insurance and was jailed for 12 months.

Mr James told the court: "Two officers on mobile patrol in a marked police car saw the Focus with the sole occupant apparently slumped behind the wheel. They turned their car around to investigate. The Focus turned from Thompson Avenue into Parkfield Road and accelerated away into the distance."

The car went the wrong way round a bollard in Ettingshall Road while reaching speeds of 70mph in a 30mph limit as police sent for more cars to prevent its escape, the court was told.

It went through a series of red traffic lights in a desperate attempt to flee before finally being cornered. The terrifying 10 minute chase ended when three police cars managed to box in the Fiesta, forcing it to stop in Hickman Avenue, East Park on October 9, said Mr James.

The car was being looked after by the defendant's partner while its owner was abroad and Paul took the ignition key without permission to travel to a petrol station to buy cigarettes, it was said.

Mr Jon Roe, defending, maintained: "He panicked when he saw the police car turn to follow him. It was a stupid thing to do and he struggles to understand why he decided to make a bad situation worse."

Father-of-one Paul, from Northwick Terrace, Bradley was jailed by Judge John Warner who said: "It is a miracle that nobody was injured or worse."

The defendant was also banned from driving for a year and will have to pass an extended test before being allowed back on the roads.