A MAN has been jailed for driving nearly 70mph down residential streets in a high-speed police chase narrowly avoiding oncoming motorists.

Christopher Bartlett-Clark, of Montgomery Avenue in Bournemouth, was imprisoned for 21 months for dangerous driving, driving without insurance, driving while disqualified, failing to stop and affray at Friday’s hearing.

Bournemouth Crown Court heard Bartlett-Clark, 26, was found speeding through Kinson, Bear Cross and Longham by officers on March 24 of this year, driving in excess of 50mph along 30mph Kinson Road taking corners so fast officers feared for pedestrians’ safety. He sped through roadworks crashing into another car causing such damage that “debris was thrown into the air”.

Prosecutor Tom Wright said road workers narrowly escaped injury during the crash, adding: “The defendant’s car approached it at frightening speed and the officer noticed the back end was coming out. Still he didn’t stop.”

Another police car then joined the pursuit recording the incident. Dashcam footage showed Bartlett-Clark’s silver Volkswagen Polo reaching speeds of up to 70mph before the defendant turned down a muddy track and the chase was carried out on foot. He was caught a short while later.

He was also sentenced for brandishing a metal bar and threatening youths at Heron Court Road on December 3 last year. Bartlett-Clark had a record of previous convictions including previous driving offences, the court heard.

Mitigating was Robert Grey who told the court the defendant was remorseful having fathered a child in April, adding: “Whether by luck or good fortune it does not appear that anyone was injured.”

He was jailed for three months for breaching an existing suspended sentence, four months for the affray, 14 months for dangerous driving and a concurrent four month sentence for driving while disqualified. He was also banned from driving for three years, 10 months and two weeks and will have to take an extended driving test.

Judge Brian Forster QC said. “Decide how you’re going to live your life.”