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A BRIERLEY Hill man has avoided prison despite being involved in a high speed police chase through residential areas while banned from driving for the tenth time.

Darren Skidmore forced other drivers to swerve to avoid a collision as he hit speeds of 70mph in the four-mile chase through the Dudley and Brierley Hill area.

Mark Rees, prosecuting at Wolverhampton Crown Court, said 36-year-old Skidmore failed to stop at give-way signs, overtook on the wrong side of the road and went straight across a traffic island.

He told the court the pursuing police officers thought they had caught Skidmore when he drove into a cul-de-sac. But instead of stopping - Skidmore mounted the kerb, drove across the pavement and down a grassy embankment before making off again at speed.

Skidmore, of Bankwell Street, admitted driving dangerously, while disqualified and without insurance and was given a six-month jail sentence suspended for two years.

He was further made the subject of a two-year Supervision Order and disqualified from driving for 12 months.

Mr Rees told the court Skidmore had a "substantial" record for driving offences and it was the second time he had been charged with driving dangerously.

Ekwall Tiwana, defending, said Skidmore maintained to police after his arrest that his car was incapable of going faster than 50mph.

He said Skidmore had a drug problem, but he had taken voluntary steps to resolve the habit and was working hard to stay away from the drug scene.

Recorder Francis Evans QC told Skidmore he had built up a "pretty bad" record for driving offences and added: "Your record does not suggest there is much hope of you stopping this offending."

He said Skidmore caused "extreme danger" during the police chase and concluded: "This really is the last chance you are going to get."

2:19pm Friday 14th March 2008

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