See how Jarrow driver was brought to a stop after racing around outskirts of Sunderland at 112mph

Sam Gordon was behind the wheel of a silver Ford Focus which came to the attention of officers in Easington Lane because it was bearing false trade plates on September 5.

Instead of coming to a halt when he saw blue lights and sirens, the 33-year-old road menace accelerated away towards the A19, travelling at such speed his front tyres started to smoke.

Prosecutor Joe Hedworth told Newcastle Crown Court Gordon took a slip road towards Dalton Park, at speeds in excess of 100mph and went the wrong away around a roundabout and through red lights.

Mr Hedworth said Gordon went back onto the A19 heading northbound and added: "He drove at speed in excess of 112mph and undertook vehicles, forcing them to brake heavily to avoid certain collision."

The court heard Gordon smashed through traffic cones and into a closed lane on the A19 and his vehicle, which ended up damaged, straddled the central line as he drove towards Nissan.

He eventually came to a stop when smoke started flowing out from the front of the vehicle.

Gordon admitted dangerous driving, driving while disqualified, fraudulent use of a trade plate and driving without insurance.

The court Gordon has convictions for 54 previous offences, including nine for driving while disqualified.

Judge Edward Bindloss jailed him for 14 months with a five year road ban.

The judge told him: "In my judgement, this was a prolonged period of driving that significantly put members of the public at risk, the police at risk and yourself at risk.

"For a significant period of time there was some very bad driving. That included driving over 100mph in a 60 zone, driving at 60mph in a 30 zone, going, twice, the wrong way around roundabouts, driving through red lights twice, driving in an industrial estate at speed and dangerously, crashing into cones and into a closed lane, driving the wrong way down a side road, driving while your car was damaged, driving at 112mph."

Jonathan Cousins, defending, said Gordon had done well since his last release from prison and had found work at a salvage yard, his first job since 2009.

Mr Cousins said Gordon is "extremely disappointed and upset with himself" for committing further offences and has obtained work as a prison cleaner while on remand.

Mr Cousins said Gordon, of Severn Drive, Jarrow, "wants to return to normal life and understands he has brought this upon himself."

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