A DRUG-fuelled driver who overtook a marked police vehicle on a blind bend before leading the officers on a 90mph chase has been sentenced to a three month suspended jail sentence.

Motor mechanic Jack Nixon, who had taken a line of cocaine, accelerated off after thinking he heard a voice on his car radio telling him his family was in trouble, Bradford Crown Court heard.

He tailgated the patrol car on Otley Road, Eldwick, before passing it at excessive speed and going the wrong way round a roundabout on to Park Road.

Nixon, 24, of The Crescent, Bingley, was in his employer’s Ford Fiesta at 2am, on September 15, prosecutor Philip Adams said.

He pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, failing to provide a specimen for analysis and obstructing a police officer. Mr Adams said that if another vehicle had been coming round the bend the other way “the consequences would have been very serious indeed.”

The police officers were doing 70mph in the blue light pursuit that followed but lost sight of Nixon, who they estimated was going about 90mph. Because of the time of night, there were no other vehicles on the road, Mr Adams said.

Other police officers were called to the area and Nixon was apprehended after driving down a dead end and being chased on foot.

He resisted the arresting officer, shouting at him and appearing to be under the influence of drugs.

He kicked out and headbutted the cage in the police van and refused to take part in the drink/drug analysis procedure at the police station.

Nixon had previous convictions for aggravated vehicle taking and assaulting a police officer, the court was told.

His barrister, Giles Bridge, said Nixon had lost his job as a motor mechanic as a result of the incident.

The court was told he had taken a line of cocaine that night and was driving home when he thought a voice on his car radio was telling him his family was in trouble, so he took a risk and accelerated off.

Mr Bridge said Nixon, the father of two children, lived with his grandmother after his relationship ended. He had not used any drugs since the incident and was fearful of going to prison.

He had run up £4,000 of debt and his actions that night were out of character because he was stressed and under pressure.

Judge Colin Burn sentenced Nixon to three months imprisonment, suspended for 18 months, with 200 hours of unpaid work. He was banned from driving for three years and until he takes an extended test.

Nixon must also undertake a rehabilitation activity requirement with the probation service.

Judge Burn told him: “You really didn’t even know what you were doing so you presented a very real danger to other road users. It was pretty appalling behaviour, Mr Nixon. You were effectively an accident waiting to happen on the night in question.”

But, the judge said, constructive help in the community would be more effective than the very short prison sentence Nixon would serve.