A FATHER-OF-TWO blamed his vasectomy for sparking a high-speed police chase, a court heard.

Karl Wappat, 37, drove his partner's car despite being disqualified and having no insurance.

He drove at 70mph in a 30mph zone during a four-mile chase through Jarrow, in South Tyneside, forcing other road users to swerve and pedestrians to jump out of the way, Newcastle Crown Court heard.

Bob Spragg, defending, said: "The offence occurred two days after he had a vasectomy, which is why he got in the car in the first place."

Wappat, of Westmorland Court, Hebburn, was still serving part of a community rehabilitation order for driving with excess alcohol and while disqualified in 2001 when he committed the offence last month.

He was jailed for a total of 20 months.