A 30-YEAR-OLD man with 20 previous convictions for driving while disqualified was jailed yesterday after admitting more motoring offences.

Teesside Crown Court was told that Wayne Johnson, of Edgemore Road, Darlington, had a string of motoring convictions despite having never passed a driving test.

Johnson pleaded guilty to one charge of dangerous driving, two offences of driving while disqualified and driving while not insured.

David Scutt, prosecuting, said that police saw Johnson driving a car in Darlington and attempted to stop him. He failed to pull over and they pursued him through the town's Northgate area.

He headed for Haughton Road, reaching speeds of 70mph in a 30mph zone, veering on to the wrong side of the road before speeding over the blind crest of a bridge.

After driving through red traffic lights he headed for a path and cycle way where a man walking his dog had to flatten himself against railings to avoid being hit.

Johnson then drove into a housing estate where he nearly collided with two women. He abandoned the car but security cameras later confirmed him as the driver.

On January 31, while on bail for the offences, a police officer again saw Johnson driving.

Dan Cordey, defending, said Johnson had difficulty keeping away from vehicles.

Judge John Walford sentenced Johnson to a total of two-and-a-half years in prison and disqualified him from driving for four years.