JAILED: Banned driver who led police on high speed chase in 'ever decreasing circles'

Darren Abrahams careered through a red light and hurtled over speed bumps so fast he burst one of the tyres on the the silver Hyundai he was driving.

But the 37-year-old continue to speed along roads with sparks flying from the vehicle as it ran on the rim of the damaged wheel. The car hit over 60 mph in a 30 limit and 75mph in a 40 zone after being spotted driving without lights in Great Bridge Road, Tipton around 4am on January 7, said Miss Liz De'Oliveira, prosecuting.

When ordered to stop he halted for a moment before reversing at the patrol car, forcing the officers to take evasive action, and giving him an opportunity to suddenly change direction and accelerate into the distance, Wolverhampton Crown Court heard.

He then led police in round Bradley, Princes End and Tipton before the Hyundai made a sharp right hand turn forcing the pursuing patrol car to crash into it.

Abrahams from Crankhall Lane, Wednesbury, who had 28 previous convictions involving 43 separate offences, was arrested and admitted when asked why he had behaved in this way: 'I'm an idiot.'Miss De'Oliveira concluded: "His criminal record is littered with driving matters."

Mr David Munro, defending, said Abrahams was depressed had taken a 'large quantity' of prescription drugs shortly before the police chase.

"He cannot explain why he drove as he did. It was a car he had borrowed. The pursuit started near to where he was living and went round and round in ever decreasing circles. Detection and arrest was inevitable."

Mr Munro said the defendant had recently spent over 12 months in custody on remand charged with a sex offence of which he was later found not guilty following a retrial. "He was depressed and found it difficult to pick up the pieces after the acquittal, " concluded the lawyer.

Abrahams from Crankhall Lane, Wednesbury pleaded guilty to dangerous driving and was sent to prison by Judge Kristina Montgomery QC who told him: "You had taken prescribed drugs before you drove in a reckless and incomprehensible manner. But the fact that this offence made no sense is not an excuse for what happened.

"You have an appalling record and think you can drive on roads as you wish without heeding the dangerous you present to others."