A banned driver who drove at nearly twice the speed limit through residential streets in Carlisle as he sped away from a police car has been jailed for 13 months.

At the city’s crown court, Kristian Scott, 27, of Bower Street, Carlisle, admitted dangerous driving, disqualified driving and failing to stop when asked to do so by a police officer.

The court heard that he committed the offence on June 14 after police spotted him at the wheel of his Renault van at 10.45pm.

He was seen driving erratically from Petteril Bank Road onto London Road, Carlisle. When police illuminated their blue lights and siren, he sped off.

At times on the wrong side of the road, he drove at almost twice the 30mph speed limit in streets that included Mallyclose Drive, Hopeshill Drive, Highwood Crescent, London Road, Cumwhinton Road, Edgehill Road and Lingmoor Way.

Prosecutor Gerard Rogerson said of the latter part of Scott's high-speed two-mile journey: "He turned sharply into Edgehill Road and other residential streets, careering over speed bumps, and losing traction."

As the van raced along Lingmoor Way, black smoke could be seen billowing from it, said Mr Rogerson.

At the time of this bad driving, the defendant was serving a ban which was due to expire in December this year.

When he was shown video footage of his driving that night, the defendant freely admitted that it had been "ridiculous."

Mr Rogerson said the defendant had 21 offences on his criminal record, including convictions for dangerous driving and a number of previous disqualified driving offences.

Jeff Smith, defending, said Scott was a father-of-four who had set up his own motor vehicle business in rented premises but this became a victim of the coronavirus pandemic and had to close.

On the night in question, said the lawyer, a man who had been drinking heavily had pestered him and convinced him to drive. "Clearly, he can't begin to justify that decision," said Mr Smith.

He was jailed for 13 months.

Judge Michael Hayton QC said of Scott’s driving that night: "It was foolish and it was dangerous."

He added: "There was no damage and nobody was hurt but that is very much by the grace of God; it was good fortune which prevented anybody else being injured. Judge Hayton also imposed a three year ban and said Scott must pass an extended retest.