A MOTORIST who led police on a cross-country car chase in the middle of the night has been spared an immediate jail term.

Rueben Millar, 23, drove on byways near Westbury White Horse after speeding away from officers in a 4x4.

But after hearing how Millar was trying to sort his life out a judge imposed a six-month sentence suspended for two years and banned him from driving for two years.

Colin Meeke, prosecuting, told Swindon Crown Court how police saw the car coming out of Wellhead Drove shortly after midnight on Monday, August 18.

Because a light was not working as the vehicle came out of the little used road officers decided to stop the car.

However it sped away towards Upton Scudamore before turning on to a byway heading towards the White Horse and the Imber Ranges.

When the metalled surface gave way to a gravelled track the patrol car could not continue but a colleague took up the chase across fields.

The driver made no attempt to stop until the vehicle crashed into a police vehicle on a bank at 45 degrees against a telegraph pole.

Millar, of Redland Lane, Westbury, who has a long history of motor crime dating back six years, pleaded guilty to dangerous driving.

The court that while the car had been reported stolen the defendant insisted he believed he had permission to drive it.

Judge Tim Mousley QC was told that the defendant was not working at the moment and did not have drink or drugs issues.

He was told he panicked when he saw the police and drove off and had been out because he wanted some time to himself.

As well as passing a suspended sentence and driving ban he also put him under supervision for 18 months and told him to complete a thinking skills programme.