A MAN who led police on a high-speed car chase through the streets of Durham was jailed today (Friday, December 6) after a judge rejected his plea to be with his sick child and pregnant partner.

Judge Christopher Prince said if Philip Bird wanted to be a parent he should have stayed at home instead of “screaming through streets” putting other people’s lives at risk.

Durham Crown Court was told Bird’s Vauxhall Corsa was pursued by police from the city's Sherburn Road. He drove through red lights, was on the wrong side of the road at times and narrowly missed a member of the public. He was stopped with a stinger.

The judge said: "In mitigation it was raised that you have responsibility for a child who is very unwell and the child’s mother who is expecting you baby.

“You should have thought your parental responsibilities the moment you saw the blue flashing light. You should have pulled your car to the side of the road."

He added: “To those who drive dangerously and put the welfare of others at risk the court must be seen to sending out simple message, if you engage in a police pursuit you will be sent to prison.”

Bird of Fir Avenue, Sherburn Road Estate, Durham, pleaded guilty to making off without paying for fuel on August 8 and 9 and to dangerous driving on August 12.

Chris Morrison, mitigating, said Bird had been coerced to make off with petrol by a loan shark he was indebted to.

Bird, who was subject to a community order at the time of the offences, was jailed for 12 months for dangerous driving and to a consecutive six months in prison for making off without paying for fuel.

He was disqualified from driving for two years.