A DRIVER who led police on a chase through the streets of Highcliffe while double the drink-drive limit decided to get behind the wheel because his friend was even drunker, a court heard.

Damien Stone, of Minterne Road in Christchurch, was driving a silver Mercedes Kompressor in the early hours of December 29 last year when a marked police car pulled into Lymington Road behind him.

Stone then suddenly increased the speed of the Mercedes to around 50 miles per hour - 20mph faster than the speed limit - as part of a bid to get away.

Prosecuting at Bournemouth Crown Court, Sadie Rizzo said police illuminated blue lights and gave chase for several miles into Pauntley Road, Christchurch.

Officers raced at around 55mph to try and stop the Mercedes as the silver vehicle's rear tyres skidded across the damp road.

"At one point, the car mounted the kerb and drove over a grass verge," Ms Rizzo said.

"The car also narrowly missed a lamppost."

In Pauntley Road, which is a cul-de-sac blocked at one end by concrete bollards, the Mercedes swerved wildly to avoid hitting a parked car before slowing down.

Without stopping the vehicle, Stone and his passenger jumped out and ran off.

The car collided with the bollards.

Officers continued the pursuit on foot into Mudeford Lane, leaping over a fallen tree and into gardens during the chase. Stone and the passenger then doubled back. The defendant was eventually arrested next to the Mercedes.

Ms Rizzo said Stone was "aggressive and verbally abusive" after his arrest. Officers used leg restraints after the defendant kicked out, the court heard.

"His eyes were glazed and his speech slurred," she said.

A breath test showed he had 70 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. The limit is 35.

Stone told an officer for the Probation Service that he had drunk six cans of lager before getting behind the wheel.

The court heard the passenger had been the first to drive the Mercedes, but Stone swapped with him because he thought it would be safer.

He admitted dangerous driving, drink driving and driving without insurance.

Stone, 30, has 22 convictions for 44 offences. In 2012, he was convicted of drink driving and driving while disqualified.

In the same year, he was also convicted of dealing drugs.

Mitigating, Nick Robinson handed Judge Peter Johnson a gym contract to show Stone is turning his life around.

"He is trying to take good steps forward," Mr Robinson said.

"There is some scope here for confidence rather than hollow optimism."

Sentencing the defendant to six months in prison suspended for 18 months, as well as 100 hours of unpaid work, a requirement to attend the 'thinking skills' programme and a three-year drive ban, Judge Johnson said: "This was a sustained piece of driving to evade capture."