A 23-YEAR-OLD man who led police on a high speed chase and "put numerous lives at risk" has been banned from driving for three years.

Christian John Godwin, of Ivy Close, Gillingham, admitted to dangerous driving in Ludgershall and was sentenced at Salisbury Crown Court on May 17.

He also received an eight month prison sentence suspended for 12 months.

On April 7, 2018, officers were on patrol in Ludgershall when they spotted a Ford Mondeo travelling west on Andover Road.

The Mondeo was seen travelling at speed along the A342.

The vehicle was then spotted again travelling back towards Ludgershall at speed which resulted in a police pursuit along the A346.

A helicopter was also deployed and the vehicle was seen to overtake three cars at high speed, narrowly missing other vehicles.

The vehicle was pursued until Appleshaw where the driver parked up and hid under a tree.

He was arrested a short time later and further checks found he had no insurance and no MOT.

PC Jonathan Brunt said: “Godwin led officers on a long pursuit, driving in excess of 80mph in a 30mph area, overtaking vehicles and putting numerous lives at risk. It is incredibly lucky that nobody else was injured. He showed a complete disregard for anyone else’s safety.”

As well as the driving ban, Godwin was fined £250.