See how danger driver raced from police on the wrong side of the road and through red light

Adam Pallister drove his Renault Clio from South Shields to Jarrow with officers on his tail and created a "very serious and obvious risk" to those around him.

Newcastle Crown Court heard during the journey, in August, the 27-year-old ignored police blue lights and sirens, drove through a red light, caused another motorist to brake sharply to avoid collision and travelled on the wrong side of the road.

The dad-of-five passed through Bede Industrial Estate at speeds of up to 40mph in the 30mph zone.

It was shortly before police lost sight of Pallister in Jarrow that he drove in front of the child.

Prosecutor Joe Hedworth said: "The Clio turned a sharp right in front of a young child on a pedal bike."

The court heard Pallister got away from the police during the pursuit but was arrested the following day.

Pallister, of Sidney Street, Boldon Colliery, pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, having no insurance and no licence.

Judge Sarah Mallett sentenced him to 10 months imprisonment, suspended for two years, with rehabilitation requirements, 250 hours unpaid work and a two year road ban.

Judge Mallett told Pallister: "Perhaps the most serious part of the driving occurred towards the end, when the police were following you, you turned in front of a young child on a bike and went onto a pedestrianised area.

"As a father of five children yourself I am sure you can understand what risks you caused.

"There was a very serious and obvious risk created by the sequence of driving and, in particular, to any pedestrian who may have been present and that child.

"You didn't, in fact, cause any injury but that is more really by good luck than good judgement."

Steven Reid, defending, said Pallister, who worked as a joiner until recent months, has no previous convictions for driving offences and the car belonged to him.

Mr Reid added: "Mr Pallister doesn't seek to minimise his behaviour, he realises how bad it was, how inappropriate his actions were at the time."

Mr Reid said what happened was a "one-off incident".

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