Driver reached 100mph and ran two red lights in bid to escape police in Wolverhampton

Dwayne Headley drove through two red lights and clipped a kerb before ploughing into a tree after losing control on a roundabout, Wolverhampton Crown Court heard

The 34-year-old had been involved in a non stop accident half an hour earlier when he crashed into the side of another vehicle while attempting a U turn in Nine Elms Lane, Park Village on January 13, it was said.

Mr Edward Soulsby, prosecuting, continued: "Fortuitously, he returned to the scene a few minutes later and a note was taken of the registration number of his car before he left again."

Thirty minutes afterwards firearms officers in an unmarked police car spotted the Volvo in Oxford Street, Bilston, the court was told.

Mr Soulsby explained: "They allowed it to pass, confirmed the registration number and indicated they wanted the vehicle to stop but the driver ignored this request."

The Volvo went through two red lights as it sped onto the Black Country Route and almost went out of control after clipping a kerb after reaching 80 mph, said the prosecutor.

It then accelerated up to 100mph during the two mile police pursuit before crashing into a tree at the Patent Shaft traffic island in Wednesbury around 5.30am, the court heard.

Headley fled on foot but quickly gave himself up after being warned: 'Armed police stand still.' The defendant from Spiral Close, Halesowen claimed that 'voices in his head' had made him drive so fast, it was claimed.

Mr Lee Egan, defending, said: "He has not committed any criminal offence for ten years and his last driving conviction was 16 years ago."

Headley, who had been involved with the mental health services in the past, had been held in custody for a month after being arrested on a warrant for failing to attend an earlier hearing of the court case.

He admitted dangerous driving, failing to stop after an accident and breaching his bail. The defendant received a month in jail for the last of these meaning he was immediately released.

He was given a further 14 month prison term suspended under supervision for two years and was banned from driving for three years for the other offences.

Judge Martin Walsh commented: "This was an appalling piece of dangerous driving but having read your pre sentence report it would be in both the interest of yourself and the general public for you to receive a lengthy period of supervision."