A Christmas Day danger driver fled on foot through gardens after crashing his car during a police pursuit.

Lee McCutcheon, 26, was handed an eight-week jail sentence at Carlisle Crown Court after a judge was told of the drama that unfolded.

McCutcheon had been tailed by police at about 1pm after his Vauxhall Astra was seen breaking the 30mph speed limit.

As blue lights were activated, McCutcheon drove at high speed along Newtown and Moorhouse roads, overtaking several vehicles.

He lost control, left the road and crashed.

Summing up the incident, Judge Barbara Forrester said: "You ran off through people's gardens, trying to hide."

But police swooped on McCutcheon, who was initially aggressive before calming down.

He later pleaded guilty to charges of dangerous driving, no insurance, failing to co-operate with a police drug test and possessing cannabis.

McCutcheon told the court he couldn't remember why he had been speeding.

Asked why he failed to stop for police, he replied from the dock: "Because I would have got recalled to prison."

At the time McCutcheon was on licence following his release from prison for previous criminal conduct. He had since been recalled to jail, and was not now due for release until at least November 2018.

Judge Forrester imposed a consecutive eight-week term for the latest offending. McCutcheon, of no fixed address, will serve an 18-month driving ban when he leaves prison and must pass an extended driving test.