A CAR driven by a disqualified motorist was travelling at excessive speed when it became airborne after crashing into a roundabout, an inquest heard yesterday.

Cleveland Police crash investigator PC Stephen McKie said Darren McGee's car was being driven at at least 55mph when it hit a roundabout in Ingleby Barwick, near Stockton, killing the 31-year-old driver.

At the second day of the inquest into Mr McGee's death, PC Darren Breslin denied having put unemployed McGee under any pressure as he followed him.

Mr McGee, of Rochester Court, Ingelby Barwick, who was due in court the following week accused of driving while disqualified and with excess alcohol, led the police van into a pub car park then suddenly accelerated away.

His car clipped one roundabout, sending the vehicle into a 180 degree spin and stalling it.

It was then driven away at speed before careering into the second roundabout, killing the driver, who was three times over the drink drive limit.

PC Breslin said: "All I did was to stay at a safe distance and not approach the suspect vehicle and force that suspect vehicle to change his mode of driving. He was always moving away from us. We never at any point could close the distance."

The inquest continues.