A DANGEROUS driver reached speeds of up to 80mph in a residential area before abandoning his car and jumping into a river to avoid the police, a court heard.

James Barry Durham approached blind bends at 60mph and sped across a mini-roundabout during the police chase in the South Park area of Darlington on Saturday, May 27.

The uninsured driver failed to stop when the police patrol car signalled for him to pull over on Victoria Road at 10.30pm.

Alan Davison, prosecuting at Newton Aycliffe Magistrates’ Court yesterday, said Durham continued towards Grange Road at 30mph, prompting the officer to turn on his siren as well as the blue flashing lights.

The 23-year-old then turned left on to Parkside and began to accelerate reaching 60mph in the 30mph zone .

“He drove across the Coleridge Gardens mini-roundabout at 80mph with no consideration for other road users,” said Mr Davison.

“He then braked hard and turned left on to Clifton Road. He was travelling at high speeds on blind bends and was braking sharply, before finally stopping on the Victoria Embankment.”

Mr Davison described how Durham jumped out of his vehicle, leaving his passenger inside, before heading off on foot into South Park.

“The officer chased the driver who was arrested having jumped into the river,” Mr Davison added.

Durham, of Brinkburn Avenue, Darlington, pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, driving without insurance and failing to stop for a police officer.

Magistrates heard the police officer’s attention was first drawn to Durham’s Vauxhall Vectra on Whinbush Way because there was something hanging down beneath the vehicle.

Graham Hunsley, mitigating, said the police chase was relatively short, pointing out how the officer had followed Durham all the way across town before attempting to pull him over.

“This was quite a distance during which there were no complaints made against his driving and he was observing the speed limits,” said Mr Hunsley.

“He pleads guilty at the first opportunity and made admissions in interview, accepting his driving was dangerous.”

The bench decided their sentencing powers were insufficient and committed the case to Teesside Crown Court in Middlesbrough for sentencing on Thursday, July 13.

The failing to stop charge, which cannot be committed to crown court, was withdrawn by the Crown Prosecution Service.

Durham received unconditional bail.