A PANIC-STRICKEN driver led police on a high-speed chase through a residential area before speeding through barriers into a closed road .

David Powell was helping a friend by driving a Ford Focus which was towing his pal's Ford Escort van.

Passing police officers recognised the car from a previous day where it had been marked as having no insurance and signalled for Powell to pull over.

But Powell, who did not have a licence or insurance sped away from the officers causing the tow rope to snap and left the van stranded on the pavement.

He then led officers on a chase through a number of streets in Clacton.

At Colchester Magistrates' Court, Philip Pearson, prosecuting said: "Police were using blue lights and sirens but he didn't stop and was overtaking a number of vehicles at speed.

"He went into Old Road where a temporary one-way system was in place, into St Andrew's Avenue, down Wellesley Road and then into Park Road which was completely blocked off.

"But he completely ignored the restrictions and smashed through the barriers and drove right into oncoming traffic."

Officers abandoned the chase because it was too dangerous but later arrested Powell, 26, when he had decamped.

He immediately confessed to what had happened after the incident in February and admitted failing to stop for police, dangerous driving and driving without a licence or insurance during his court hearing.

Powell, who has no previous convictions, told the probation service he had made a massive mistake and understood his actions could have been dangerous.

District judge Andrew Woollard handed him a six month prison sentence suspended for 18 months.

Powell, of Sycamore Way, Clacton must also complete 240 hours of unpaid work and has been banned from driving for two years.

Mr Woollard said: "Driving in the way you did, to the extent they took the entirely appropriate decision to stop the pursuit indicates just how bad it was.

"It is simply good fortune you did not get into a collision with other road users - if it had gone on any longer it is inevitable that is how it would have ended.

"If you had pulled over immediately you still would have been in trouble but not to the extent you are now."