Dangerous motorist jailed after driving WRONG WAY around a roundabout during high-speed chase

Lewis Nesbitt endangered the lives of others as he sped down residential streets during a police pursuit.

The reckless driver reached speeds of up to 70mph on narrow roads and skipped red lights, before driving the wrong way down a dual carriageway and a roundabout towards oncoming traffic.

But Nesbitt, who was uninsured, was caught when police found him standing at a bus stop shortly after he had abandoned his Vauxhall Corsa on South View Terrace, Houghton.

He was then arrested and charged with a string of motoring offences including dangerous driving, driving without a licence and no insurance.

The 25-year-old, of Hertburn Gardens, Concord, pleaded guilty to all five charges he faced at an earlier hearing and on Friday, February 28 was jailed for 20 months at Newcastle Crown Court.

PC Steven Hackett, of Northumbria Police’s motor patrols department, said Nesbitt’s erratic behaviour behind the wheel could easily have led to serious injury or a fatality.

He said: “Nesbitt endangered the lives of other road users as he selfishly drove down residential streets at excess speeds in a desperate bid to get away from police.

“He then inexcusably drove the wrong way around a roundabout and dual carriageway, colliding with one vehicle and narrowly avoiding a head-on collision.

“After abandoning his car and fleeing on foot, Nesbitt hoped that he would be able to blend in with the crowd – but officers knew his identity and spotted him standing sheepishly at a bus stop. He was swiftly arrested.

“I am pleased that Nesbitt is now behind bars and the seriousness of his actions have been recognised. He clearly cannot be trusted to adhere to the laws of the road and has proven himself to be a real danger to others when behind the wheel of a car.”

The offences happened on Thursday, September 5 last year.

Nesbitt has also been handed a three-year driving ban.