Danger driver avoids jail after speeding at 90mph through 20 area, jumping red lights, going on the wrong side of the road and having to be rammed off by police

A dangerous driver had to be rammed off the road by police after leading them on a high-speed chase through Newcastle while over the drink-drive limit.

Kelvin Eckert, 42, was spotted speeding on the A1 before refusing to stop – sparking an 11-minute pursuit across the A69 and into residential areas.

During the chase, he hit speeds of 90mph in a 20mph zone, drove through a red light, went on the wrong side of the road and even turned his lights off to evade officers. Police vehicles were damaged as he forced his way through attempts to stop him.

The pursuit ended when officers rammed his car into railings to bring it to a halt.

Eckert, who was uninsured and over the alcohol limit, then tried to flee on foot before being arrested.

He has now been handed a 15-month suspended sentence, 200 hours of unpaid work and a three-year driving ban.