A woman pedestrian had to leap out of the way as a dangerous driver high on drugs was pursued through Carlisle for more than two miles.

Witnesses who saw Grant Miller's driving reported him breaking speed limits, driving through red lights, and at times being on the wrong side of the road.

Police became so concerned they abandoned the pursuit, on November 9 last year.

When they finally caught up with 35-year-old Miller, he was found to be over the limit for three illegal drugs, and there was also evidence he had been using cannabis and and the tranquilliser Temazepam.

Nick Cockerell, prosecuting at the city’s crown court, said the bad driving began when a police officer who knew Miller spotted him in a Volvo on a street in Carlisle and, knowing he was banned, she approached him.

As she did so, he locked the car doors and sped off, forcing her to jump out of the way.

In the minutes that followed, Miller repeatedly flouted the rules of the road as he drove along more than a dozen Carlisle streets, exceeding speed limits and at one point passing Richard Rose Central Academy.

Mr Cockerell said: "A police constable noticed the Volvo driving down Lorne Crescent, and turning right into Trafalgar Street, contravening a no entry sign, and passing through a red light on the wrong side of the road."

Driving at about 50mph, Miller passed two secondary schools and at one stage the car mounted the pavement, forcing a woman to take evasive action.

The car was also seen weaving in and out of traffic, narrowly avoiding collisions.

The bad driving covered a distance of some two and a half miles, and included many key city streets such as Warwick Square, Botchergate, St Nicholas Street, as well as residential areas, Mr Cockerell told the court.

When he eventually pulled over, Miller passed the car keys to a passing pedestrian and declared he had not been driving.

Mr Cockerell went on to outline the defendant's criminal record, which included a previous dangerous driving offence, as well a burglary and a robbery.

Greg Hoare, for the defendant, of Lawson Street, off Newtown Road, said Miller had genuine mental health problems, having been diagnosed with post traumatic stress after he witnessed domestic violence from his mother's partner in childhood.

The barrister also described how Miller tried to kill himself, and in a conference before the hearing had described himself as "an empty shell."

Of the dangerous driving, Mr Hoare said the speed was not excessive and nobody was injured.

At an earlier hearing, Miller admitted dangerous driving, three counts of drug driving, and disqualified driving.

Recorder Philip Curran said the only realistic option was custody.

He jailed Miller for 16 months and imposed a driving ban of three years and seven and a half months.

The defendant must pass an extended retest before he drives without supervision again.