A MOTORIST led police on a high-speed chase through North Herefordshire's black and white villages, Hereford magistrates heard.

Mark Anthony Alexander 'panicked' when police ordered him to stop in Leominster, leading to a chase through Eardisland, Pembridge and Shobdon at speeds of up to 95 mph.

John Barnett, prosecuting, said police first spotted Alexander, of The Hundreds Farm, Leominster, driving a green Rover above the speed limit through the town.

Pleading guilty to charges of dangerous driving, failure to stop and other offences, Alexander said he panicked because he believed he was disqualified.

Mr Barnett said: "Alexander showed no consideration to any other would-be road user and had a total disregard for speed limits."

During the pursuit, in which Alexander overtook vehicles and clipped verges, leaving clouds of dust in his wake, he also ran over a cat, sending it into the driveway of a neighbouring house.

Alexander eventually lost control of the car, colliding with a hedge on an unclassified road near Shobdon and when the pursuing police officer rushed to the Rover, he discovered the driver's seat was empty.

Continuing the chase on foot, the officer followed Alexander across a field and found him lying in a ditch.

Representing Alexander, Mick Walker said: "I don't dispute the speeds but I don't recall that any other road user was put at risk.

Walked

"The impression was that he was in control until the last moment when his car went into a hedge."

Mr Walker said his client went into Leominster to buy some milk and, although he normally walked or cycled, 'the car was there'.

Alexander had become depressed after he lost contact with his children and regularly sees his GP for counselling and medical assistance, said Mr Walker.

Magistrates said: "You proved a serious risk to people in the area and it was only luck that the cat was the only casualty."

Forty-year-old Alexander was sentenced to five months in prison and disqualified from driving for 18 months.