A MAN has been jailed for driving offences after he tried to avoid being stopped by police.

Mark Bunce, from Stockton, was sitting in a car on the forecourt of a petrol station in Durham Road, in the town, when he was spotted by an officer who knew he was disqualified from driving.

Teesside Magistrates' Court heard that he locked his car door as the officer approached, then sped off, narrowly missing the policeman.

Bunce, 26, formerly of Dipton Road, pleaded guilty to driving while disqualified, driving without insurance and failing to stop for a police officer.

Tahira Bourchier, prosecuting, told the court that Bunce had been banned from driving for three years in 2003 and was currently in custody after being recalled on licence.

Liz McGowan, mitigating, said: "He didnt intend driving at the officer.

"He does accept that his driving in an erratic manner may have put the officer at risk."

District Judge Martin Walker sentenced Bunce to four months in custody, which is to run concurrent with his sentence for dealing in heroin.

He said: "Your record for driving offences is very bad, and when the court orders you not too drive until you have passed an extended driving test, it means you do not drive until then."

Bunce was also given a six-month driving ban.