A dad-to-be sped through red lights pursued by the police – as his pregnant partner sat beside him in the car.

But dangerous driver Ben Cox, who already had three driving while disqualified offences on his rap sheet, was spared an immediate prison sentence.

Judge Maria Lamb noted that the 23-year-old had already spent almost three months in prison on remand, was remorseful and had struggled with his mental health.

Cox, of Argyle Road, Ealing, cried over the video link from HMP Bullingdon as he was told he’d be sentenced to 12 months’ imprisonment suspended for two years with 120 hours of unpaid work and the thinking skills programme.

He was banned from driving for two years and must pass an extended retest if he wants to drive again.

Sentencing him, Judge Lamb told the defendant: “Right, Ben Cox. 23 years of age and back before the court for the fourth offence of driving while disqualified and the second offence of dangerous driving.

“I read what is said about the circumstances in which this took place but really that is no excuse.

“It is an aggravating factor that you have previous convictions for that offence and when all is said and done about your concerns for your partner she was in the car and you drove her through at least two sets of red lights.

“Having said that, I watched the footage of your driving a couple of times and it is fair to say that although there were times at which you were driving in excess of the speed limit they were fortunately not the grossly excessive speeds that sometimes one sees in these sorts of cases.

“It is quite right that you have been in prison for what represents a pretty significant period of time. You’ve got only yourself to blame for that.”

Urging him to complete the unpaid work and thinking skills programme, she added: “If you don’t do the programme properly and if you don’t do the unpaid work you will be coming back before me, Mr Cox, and I can promise you [you will be sent] straight to prison.”

Oxford Crown Court heard that Cox was being pursued by the police when he shot through red lights on the Northern bypass, Oxford, while driving a VW Golf on June 4. He hit speeds of around 60-70mph.

In mitigation, the defendant was said to be remorseful. He had difficulties with his mental health.

Cox had pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing to dangerous driving, driving while disqualified and on false plates.

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