A DANGEROUS driver who was serving a disqualification led police on a car chase at more than double the speed limit.

James Andrews, of Curzon Road, Bournemouth, was behind the wheel of a BMW in the early hours of August 12 when police pulled up alongside in a marked car and told him to remain stationary.

However, Andrews, 22, suddenly bolted in a 'panic', leading the officers on a pursuit through seven residential Charminster streets, including Capstone Road, Charminster Road, King's Road, Heron Court Road and Wimborne Road.

Richard Oakley, prosecuting at Poole Magistrates' Court on Friday, said the BMW reached speeds of around 50 miles per hour.

The limit in St Luke's Road is 20mph.

"The vehicle drove straight over junctions, ignoring markings," Mr Oakley said.

"The vehicle didn't slow down enough to acknowledge the markings."

The BMW also appeared to accelerate in roads which had speed bumps, the court heard.

Andrews eventually stopped in Osborne Road, where he was arrested.

During an interview with the police, he said he knew he shouldn't have been behind the wheel because of his disqualification for drug driving last year.

However, he thought the disqualification may have already ended and decided to "take the chance".

The BMW was not his and he knew he was not insured to drive it, Mr Oakley said.

James Moore, mitigating, said Andrews has a job lined up with Poole firm Sunseekers.

"The pursuit itself lasted less than 60 seconds," Mr Moore said.

"Mr Andrews says - and how often we hear this phrase - it was fight or flight."

The defendant is "not heavily-convicted" or a "thug or drug addict who doesn't care", Mr Moore said.

"He had nearly completed the disqualification. It was a 60-second chase at 3.57am," the solicitor added.

"He panicked."

Andrews admitted dangerous driving, driving while disqualified and driving without insurance.

The case was committed to Bournemouth Crown Court for sentence.