A scaffolder who ran off after crashing a car following a police chase has been jailed.

Ashley Pulley-Blank had been disqualified from driving when an officer saw him driving away from The Lion Pub on Nyetimber Lane, Bognor.

Police pursued Pulley-Blank’s BMW convertible along Nyetimber Lane and Hook Lane before it collided with another vehicle pulling into the petrol station on Rose Green Road.

Pulley-Blank’s car came off the road and collided with a tree and a road sign before overturning.

The 27-year-old ran off but officers found him hiding Pembroke Way and he was arrested.

Pulley-Blank of Glenelg Close, Bognor, was charged for driving a motor vehicle with a proportion of a specified controlled drug above the specific limit, driving a vehicle whilst unfit through drugs, possession of a controlled Class B drug (cannabis), use of a motor vehicle on a road/public place without third party insurance, driving a motor vehicle dangerously, driving whilst disqualified and being the driver of a vehicle failing to stop after a road accident.

He was found guilty of all seven charges.at Portsmouth Crown Court and handed a two-and-a-half year custodial sentence and was disqualified from driving for four-and-a-half years.

PC Mark Stoner, of Sussex Police, said: “Pulley-Blank showed a complete disregard for anyone’s safety on the day of the pursuit and it was lucky that he didn’t seriously injure anyone in the incident.

“I am very pleased that a dangerous individual has been prosecuted to the full extent of the law and has been taken off the roads for a long time.”