A BANNED motorist who led police on a high speed Sunday morning chase through Chippenham has been jailed for 14 months.

Nathan Batten failed to stop when an officer tried to pull him over at the bottom of Rowden Hill at about 10am on March 10.

The 25-year-old, who is epileptic so shouldn't be behind the wheel, then sped away in a £175 estate car he had bought just days earlier.

Nick Fridd, prosecuting, told Swindon Crown Court how the officer was monitoring traffic when he tried to stop the car to speak to the driver.

The Peugeot then shot off through a No Entry sign, touching speeds of up to 70mph in a 30mph zone.

When the vehicle got to the junction of Sheldon Road and Parliament Street there was a car blocking its way, so Batten drove on to the pavement at 60mph to get past.

He seemed to lose control of the rear end of the Peugeot as he drove on to Derriads Lane and went through a set of bollards before jumping out and running off.

Although he hid under a nearby parked car the officer quickly tracked him down and then found a small container with cannabis where he was hiding.

Batten, of Stoke Gifford, pleaded guilty to failing to stop, driving while disqualified, dangerous driving, no insurance and possessing cannabis.

The court heard that he had been convicted of dangerous driving twice before and was on a suspended sentence at the time of the offendence.

Tony Bignall, defending, said his client had bought the car a few days earlier and when a friend called and asked for a lift he stupidly agreed.

He described Batten as a little simple minded, and said he acted as the carer for his mum and should not drive as he is epileptic as well as banned.

Jailing him Judge Robert Pawson said "Whilst it isn't your fault, you suffer from epilepsy. To drive like that when you have been banned was a deliberate decision on your part to ignore the rules of the road and show a flagrant disregard for other road users.

"In fact you put other road users and pedestrians at risk. You have been in trouble before in 2014 and 2016: dangerous driving on two separate occasions.

"I note the pre-sentence report says more likely than not you will reoffend. The position is, I am afraid, Mr Batten you have run out of chances."

As well as the jail term he also banned Batten from the road for two years and seven months and until he has passed an extended test.