A DISQUALIFIED motorist who sped off when police spotted him driving without wearing a seatbelt has again been banned from the roads.

Ryan Dobie’s driving was branded 'disgraceful' as a judge demanded to know why the defendant was not charged with all admitted offences.

The 25-year-old accepted he was driving whilst disqualified and without insurance but was only charged with dangerous driving after taking police on a high-speed chase through Hartlepool.

Teesside Crown Court heard how Dobie accelerated away from police on Duke Street, in a desperate attempt to avoid arrest on April 14 last year.

Nigel Soppitt, prosecuting, said Dobie went through red lights while travelling on the wrong side of the road, forcing other drivers to take evasive action before he came to a shuddering halt when he lost control of the car.

Dobie, of Dalkeith Road, Hartlepool, pleaded guilty to a single charge of dangerous driving.

Stephen Constantine, in mitigation, said his client had turned his life around and was now in a settled job working around the country.

Judge Jonathan Carroll demanded to know why Dobie had only been charged with the one offence despite his own admissions.

He said: “For reasons that I simply don’t understand, you have not been charged with your admitted offences of being over the prescribed limit for drugs, disqualified driving, and no insurance. I have asked for that matter to be investigated and for me to receive and explanation but it won’t change the outcome as far as you are concerned.”

He added: “Police noticed you weren’t wearing a seatbelt, in the grand scheme of things a relatively minor offence, though you knew it was more serious for you because you knew you were a disqualified driver and had no insurance.

“Your driving was disgraceful, stationary cars at red lights and you swerve into the opposite lane, driving against the oncoming traffic causing others to brake or swerve to avoid a collision.

“You were swerving, cutting corners, and doing all you could to escape the police.

“You only stopped when you hit a kerb causing you to lose control of the vehicle and you came to a stop.”

Dobie was given a 14-month sentence, suspended for two years, and banned from driving for 18 months.

He was also ordered to attend 15 rehabilitation activity requirement days, carry out 200 hours of unpaid work, and pay £415 towards court costs.

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