A banned driver who led police on a chase through Oxford has been jailed for two-and-a-half years.

Mark Glover, 28, of Iffley Road, Oxford, sped away from officers after noticing a police car behind him.

Nigel Daly, prosecuting, told Oxford Crown Court yesterday that police began tailing Glover in Cowley Road, on January 10.

His car mounted the pavement in Divinity Road, went through a red light in Gipsy Lane, turned into a dead-end street, crashed through two bollards, before he crashed and abandoned the vehicle in Quarry High Street, Headington. Glover admitted dangerous driving, driving while disqualified and driving with no insurance.

He also admitted driving while disqualified and with no insurance when police stopped him a month earlier on December 10.

Terry Woods, defending said: "Having been arrested only a month before he saw he was going to be arrested by police and he immediately panicked and drove away."

He said Glover had been living a chaotic lifestyle and had drug problems.

Judge Anthony King sentenced Glover to 12 months for dangerous driving and five months for driving while disqualified, to be served concurrently. He must also finish an 18-month sentence for burglary and theft.

He ordered Glover's vehicle be forfeited and banned him from driving for two years. Glover will have to take a extended driving test to regain his licence.