A YOUNG unlicensed motorist was jailed for 15 months for a display of dangerous driving, “almost as bad as it gets”, a court heard.

Kevin Lucas led police on a near-15 minute pursuit while at the wheel of a Renault Clio, with no lights illuminated, shortly after 8.10pm on Saturday, February 20.

Durham Crown Court heard that on pulling away from Fox Street, Seaham, with wheels spinning, he ignored the pursuing police vehicle’s blue lights and siren and travelled at speed round residential streets.

Joanne Kidd, prosecuting, said Lucas took roundabouts in the wrong direction, strayed onto the wrong side of the road, forcing oncoming motorists to take evading action, and ignored give-way signs.

He also applied his brakes sharply, forcing the pursuing police car to swiftly follow suit, leading to one slight collision.

When other police vehicles became involved, efforts were made to corral the Clio onto the A19, which was considered to be the safer option at that time, but Lucas drove off along a footpath.

Later, heading towards Ryhope, Lucas halted the Clio and he and his three passengers tried to flee on foot.

When detained, Lucas said: “I wasn’t the driver”, despite having emerged from the driver’s side door.

Lucas, of Canon Cockin Street, Sunderland, admitted dangerous driving, without insurance and a licence.

Miss Kidd said he was on bail to attend Newcastle Crown Court, three days later, for assisting an offender, for which he was jailed for nine-and-a-half months and is still serving.

Paul Currer, mitigating, said Lucas had been given valium, with which he was not familiar.

Jailing him, Judge Christopher Prince, told Lucas: “This was as about as bad as it gets for dangerous driving.

“It’s only through good fortune that no-one, including yourself and your passengers, were not very seriously injured.”