A DISQUALIFIED Dudley driver who led police on a high speed chase has been jailed.

Father-of-two Jabhar Ahmed hit speeds of 80mph, ran red lights and ignored give-way signs as he made a "really determined" bid to shake off police officers, Wolverhampton Crown Court was told.

After the 23-year-old, who had a previous conviction for dangerous driving, had accelerated away from the police car in Cradley Road, he went the wrong way round a traffic island, drove over grass verges and also mounted the footpath.

The chase finally came to a halt when he drove into Priory Park and abandoned his Fiat, only to be caught as he then tried to make his escape on foot.

The court was told that as he was being chased on foot by the police, Ahmed was seen to throw a small packet into a pool in the park, which was later found to contain a small amount of cannabis.

Harbinder Lally, defending, said Ahmed had panicked when he realised he had been spotted by police because he knew he should not have been behind the wheel.

"He acted in a very foolish and dangerous manner," said Mr Lally, who stressed that Ahmed had now vowed to keep out of further trouble with the police.

Recorder Adrian Reynolds told Ahmed, of Benedict Court: "Mercifully there was no harm to life or property but that is more through luck than judgement.

"Anyone who drives away from the police when they are doing their duty must know they will face immediate custody every time.

"You went through numerous red lights at high speed in a built up area and you also turned off the lights on your car to make yourself less obvious."

Ahmed, who admitted driving dangerously, while disqualified, possessing cannabis and having no insurance, was jailed for 15 months and banned him from driving for 32 months.