JAILED: Banned driver who led police on Cannock high speed chase

During the eight-mile pursuit Charles Windsor's BMW overtook on blind bends forcing other vehicles to take evasive action, Stafford Crown Court heard.

He eventually abandoned the car in Ascot Drive and, along with his girlfriend, ran off, discarding clothing on the way.

But residents told police they had seen the suspect climbing over garden fences and Windsor was quickly stopped by officers.

Windsor, aged 23, of Ellesmere Road, Cannock, admitted dangerous driving, driving while disqualified and without insurance.

As well as receiving the eight-month jail sentence, he was given another two-year ban from driving.

Judge Simon Tonking told him: "You chose to drive your father's BMW parked on your drive.

"You knew you didn't have his permission and you knew you were disqualified.

"Miraculously, you didn't do any damage, nor cause any injury, but the risk over a considerable distance was very high."

The judge added that Windsor's reason for driving - that they were going to look for a lost dog - was 'not the slightest excuse'.

The court heard that although Windsor had completed his previous two-year disqualification period for dangerous driving imposed in October 2012, he had failed to take the extended driving test.

This meant he was still banned.

Mr Neil Ahuja, prosecuting, said the offence happened in the afternoon of November 5 last year, when an armed police patrol car tried to stop a black BMW in Easter Way, Cannock.

The driver, Windsor, accelerated away along the A460 and the chase continued for eight miles at speeds of up to 60 mph.

Mr Mark Nicholls, defending, said Windsor had been in a 'blind panic' when he saw the police car.

He said: "He accepts the stupidity of what he did on that day."