Man jailed after dangerous driving police chase

Michael Doherty, from Tunstall, Stoke-on-Trent, was sentenced to a year and 10 months

A man without a driving licence has been jailed after heading the wrong way on a dual carriageway in an attempt to escape police in Stoke-on-Trent.

Michael Doherty, 31, from Tunstall, was sentenced to one year and 10 months in prison after pleading guilty to dangerous driving, driving whilst disqualified, driving without a licence and driving without insurance.

Staffordshire Police said he had first been spotted driving a grey Audi A3 the wrong way down a one-way street.

After mounting the pavement to avoid a road closure, officers said he continued to drive dangerously through the Chell Heath and Tunstall areas.

Even after officers used a stinger device to burst one of his tyres, the force said he carried on driving, heading the wrong way down the A500 dual carriageway in an attempt to escape.

'Complete disregard'

At Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court last week, Doherty was also banned from driving for five years and 11 months, and given eight penalty points.

In addition, he was ordered to take an extended driving test and pay a surcharge of £187.

PC Rebecca Tyler said: "Doherty had a complete disregard for other road users and put lives at risk.

"We welcome the court’s decision to jail Doherty as well as ban him from driving, as our roads have no place for such dangerous and reckless behaviour."