A DRIVER who reached speeds of more than 90mph during a five-minute police chase through Ilkley has avoided jail.

James Dixon, 24, only came to a stop after crashing his Seat Leon car into a wall and gas main on Bolling Road in the early hours of August 20 last year.

During the pursuit, which began on Cow Pasture Lane, he drove at 90mph in 30mph zones, hit 88mph in the town centre, and took a blind bend at 49mph on the wrong side of the road.

Dixon, of Navigation Drive, Apperley Bridge, had admitted a charge of dangerous driving prior to yesterday’s hearing at Bradford Crown Court.

Recorder Simon Batiste called Dixon’s driving “appalling”, but said it was “out of character”.

He was sentenced to ten months in prison, suspended for 18 months, and given a two-year ban plus 120 hours’ unpaid work.