A TYRE fitter who led police on a high speed chase from Bristol to Melksham has been jailed for 10 months.

Elliott Ozteoman, who had been banned from the road weeks earlier, was pursued by patrol cars and a force helicopter as he took back roads.

The 36-year-old went through red lights, the wrong way round a roundabout and undertook other road users during the chase which lasted more than 20 minutes.

Tessa Hingston, prosecuting, told Swindon Crown Court how his Lexus was seen parked under the M32 in Bristol on the evening of Monday, June 11.

Because of where it was a policeman spoke to the occupants and upon learning Ozteoman, who was in the driver's seat, was banned, he warned him against driving.

But as he drove away he noticed the car behind him at traffic lights and with the defendant at the wheel and three passengers in it.

The officer got out and told him to stop, trying to smash the window with his baton, but the car drove off at speed.

After going at 50mph in a 20mph zone and through red lights as it left the city towards Fishponds and Pucklechurch.

The car then went through Doynton and Wick to Tog Hill towards Batheaston before heading east on the A4 London Road.

Footage from a police helicopter showed the car on the B43109 and Devizes Road, overtaking on double yellow lines, as it went towards Atworth.

The chase came to an end on Thames Crescent in Melksham, he said, and he was arrested.

Ozteoman, of New Road, Melksham, pleaded guilty to driving while disqualified and dangerous driving.

Alex Daymond, defending, said his client had not driven to Bristol but had met his wife and others there to go to a family gathering.

He said he had only driven because the policeman who spoke to him had said the car had to be moved and then he drove off in panic.

In 2012 he said he set up his own tyre business which would be at risk should he receive a jail term.

Mr Daymond said that Ozteoman had been in a relationship which failed and his children were also taken into care.

Jailing him Recorder Richard Shepherd said: "In terms of the dangerous driving it was appalling. It lasted north of 20 minutes.

"You travelled from Bristol to Melksham on a variety of roads. Major roads, minor roads, country roads, winding roads, through villages, out into the fields.

"You were a significant hazard and danger to other people. I note in the moments before the chase had begun you were warned by the police officer that you should not drive."

He said he did not accept the police officer had told him to move the vehicle and that he had met his wife and friends by chance shortly before the police arrived.

Ozteoman was also banned from the road for 23 months and until he has passed an extended driving test.