A father who led police on a frantic car chase through the streets of Carlisle has been spared immediate prison - after a judge was told how he is trying to turn his life around.

Leon Lavelle reached speeds of up to 60mph as he tried to escape officers who had been tipped off that he was drink-driving.

At Carlisle Crown Court, Recorder Lawrence McDonald was told that Lavelle had left his home on Blackwell Road, Currock, having had a row with his partner. He had also drank two bottles of wine.

Jon Close, prosecuting, said his partner had then contacted police to say he had driven off in his black Volkswagen Golf. Officers found him at the car park next to Hammonds Pond and pulled up alongside him.

"He reversed into the police car causing damage to the offside passenger door and the rear to the value of £1,475.76," Mr Close said.

"After that he exited the car park and drove off at speed. The police put their lights and sirens on but he failed to stop."

Mr Close said that Lavelle was driving at 40mph on Blackwell Road in an area where the limit is 20mph, before reaching 60mph on Buchanan Road and Ridley Road, where he eventually stopped.

"He left the vehicle because it was a dead end and was then arrested," he added.

Following a search of Lavelle's car, police found a four-inch knife stashed in the glovebox - but in interview he said he planned to use it to carve both his and his partner's name into a tree at Talkin Tarn.

Marion Weir, for Lavelle, told Recorder McDonald was told that he had relocated to Cumbria from the Manchester area - where he had a troubled past - in a bid to turn his life around.

She said that he had a raft of previous offences dating back to 2007 but had managed to stay out of trouble since 2012.

"He came to Cumbria for a fresh start with his long-term partner. He has a three-year-old child who he is devoted to," Ms Weir said.

"He is a young man who is trying to turn his life around. He works in a car showroom and assurances have been made he will still keep his job."

She added: "He is distraught at the thought of custody."

Ms Weir said that Lavelle had spent the day in Blackpool with his partner and that the pair had a row after returning home. She said that he had left to calm down and was intending to spend the night in his car at Hammonds Pond.

She said that Lavelle had panicked when police arrived at the scene.

Lavelle pleaded guilty to drink-driving, possession of a bladed article in a public place and dangerous driving when he appeared at Carlisle's magistrates' court last month.

A breath test taken at Durranhill police station following his arrest showed he had 44 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35 microgrammes.

Recorder McDonald said: "It's fortunate that no-one suffered any physical injuries. The officer said that had he got out of the car, he could have been trapped between two vehicles."

He added: "You could have left a son without a father and a partner without a partner and caused other losses, too."

Lavelle was sentenced to eight months, suspended for 18 months and was also ordered to carry out 120 hours of unpaid work.

He was also banned from driving for 18 months and must sit an extended driving test when re-applying for his licence.

Lavelle must also pay £500 in compensation for the damage caused to the police car and comply with a rehabilitation requirement.

Recorder McDonald also ordered the forfeiture and destruction of the knife.