A MAN who led police on a high-speed 26-mile chase, reaching speeds of up to 90mph through one Dorset village, was spared jail.

Keirren Genge, 18, of Pinehurst Road, West Moors, refused to stop for police sirens after they became concerned about his driving, in the early hours of November 1 2010, Bournemouth Crown Court heard.

Genge was pursued from the Wimborne Service Station on the A31, driving at up to 90mph through Spetisbury.

In Charlton Marshall, Genge took a series of bends at high speed, and continued on to Blandford where he took the Tesco mini roundabout at 80mph, said prosecutor Jason Spelman.

Genge briefly lost control of the car outside the gates of Bryanston School and continued despite shredding a tyre at Tarrant Hinton.

As Genge approached various speed cameras he would brake sharply.

Genge and a passenger in the car were finally arrested after he lost control and came to a stop in Coombe Bissett, Salisbury the court heard.

Genge told police he had drunk ten cans of Fosters and had no insurance and no driving licence adding: “Sorry about that. I thought it would be all right.

“I do banger racing so I thought I could handle a car. At least I slowed down for the speed cameras.”

Despite his claims Genge tested negative for alcohol at the police station.

Genge pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, having no insurance and driving without a licence.

Defending, Oliver Thorne, said the streets had been quiet at that time in the morning and no-one was injured.

Genge had just discovered that his girlfriend had a miscarriage shortly before the offences, said Mr Thorne.

Genge was handed an eight-month sentence suspended for two years, fines totalling £1,250 and ordered to pay £250 prosecution costs.

He was disqualifed from driving for at least 12 months and ordered to take an extended driving test before taking to the wheel again.