A BANNED motorist who performed a 180-degree handbrake-turn before driving at an unmarked police car has been warned he is facing prison.‬

‪Robert David Ashbridge, 34, of Seven Acres, Parton, near Whitehaven, pleaded guilty at Carlisle Crown Court to dangerous driving in Cleator Moor.

He also admitted driving whilst disqualified and having no insurance.

‬‪Ashbridge’s dangerous driving occurred in Ennerdale Road, Leconfield Street and on the Leconfield Industrial Estate on November 3.‬

He was driving a Vauxhall Astra and the court heard he “tailgated” the unmarked patrol car and travelled at around 50mph in a built-up area.‬

‪However, Ashbridge’s barrister, Tim Evans, said the basis of his guilty plea centred on the sudden turn made by the Vauxhall Astra before driving back towards the police vehicle.‬

‪Prosecutor Jack Troup confirmed: “It is certainly the 180 (degree) turn with the handbrake on, driving at the vehicle the officer is driving.”‬

Before Ashbridge admitted the charges, Mr Evans had sought an indication from the judge, Recorder Philip Grundy, about whether any prison sentence imposed as punishment could be suspended.

He told the court Ashbridge has three teenage children, and his wife suffers from the health condition fibromyalgia.

Mr Evans said: “His biggest concern is whether for this relatively unusual and limited piece of dangerous driving, custody is inevitable.”

But, in response, Recorder Grundy remarked that the sentencing starting point, given Ashbridge’s appalling record of motoring crimes — repeated previous dangerous driving and driving whilst disqualified — would be an immediate prison term.

He did, however, adjourn the case for the probation service to prepare a pre-sentence report, and urged Ashbridge to put all possible mitigation before the court during the sentencing hearing.

This is due to take place on March 26, and Ashbridge was granted bail until then.

The judge said: “It would have to be exceptional circumstances in this man’s case to pull back (from custody) because of his record.”

He told Ashbridge: “It is in your interests to co-operate with the probation service.”