A DRIVER who led police on a 100mph car chase has been jailed for 18 months.

Karl James, 28, admitted multiple driving offences when he appeared at Swindon Crown Court.

At 11.40pm on December 10, an officer was on patrol in a marked police vehicle in London Road, Devizes when he spotted an Audi A3 being driving in suspicious circumstances.

The officer put on his blue lights in an attempt to stop the vehicle, but the driver accelerated away at speeds of up to 60mph towards Estcourt Street before performing a handbrake turn and heading back along London Road at approximately 100mph in a 30mph area.

Officers attended the A4 where they deployed a stinger but the driver continued towards Marlborough before turning off at Lockeridge.

The driver James, of Granville Road, Reading, was found to have been disqualified from driving for 12 months on June 20 at Berkshire Magistrates' Court. He was arrested and later charged.

On Friday he was sentenced after pleading guilty to driving whilst disqualified, dangerous driving and using a vehicle without insurance.

As well as the prison sentence, he was also disqualified from driving for 45 months.

Sgt Pete Foster said: “James has a complete disregard for the law and despite already being disqualified from driving, made a conscious decision to get behind the wheel of a car in our county.

“His manner of driving was completely unacceptable – reaching speeds of around 100mph on one of the main roads through Devizes. He is extremely fortunate that no other road users or pedestrians were injured, or worse, killed, as a result of his mindless actions.

“I am pleased that the courts saw fit to implement a custodial sentence as well as a lengthy driving ban.”