A BANNED driver sped off from police during a high-speed chase before crashing into a garden fence.
Kabba Cham, 23, had his licence revoked after racking up speeding points on his licence in Crawley.
But he wanted to use a friend’s Peugeot to drive to a bus stop so he could go to work, and “panicked” when police flagged him down.
Instead of stopping, Cham put his foot down and reached 90mph in a 50mph zone as police gave chase for nearly three miles.
His driving was described as “appalling” and was “endangering” lives, a court heard.
At Lewes Crown Court he admitted dangerous driving, failing to stop, and driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence.
Judge Christine Laing QC imposed a six months suspended sentence, with 200 hours of unpaid work and a new two-year driving ban.
Lewes Crown Court.
Cham was seen overtaking traffic in London Road at Handcross, zooming towards Pease Pottage.
He went the wrong way around a roundabout and went through red lights on his way towards Crawley.
The vehicle went onto the grass verge and struck a road sign in Chippendale Road.
He tried to carry on, but crashed again into a small wooden fence, where he was then detained by police.
Sussex Police have launched a new Specialist Enforcement Unit to target serious criminals on the county's roads. Stock image
Jonathan Atkinson, prosecuting, said the incident happened on October 23 last year shortly before lunchtime.
As police tried to flag Cham down they heard the engine revving as he tried to get away.
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Officers were “extremely concerned” as he went the wrong way around the roundabout at Handcross.
The air support helicopter had to be called in to help the pursuit.
The police helicopter was scrambled. Stock image
Gregory Fishwick, defending, said his client has no previous convictions and accepted he was fortunate that nobody had been hurt.
His licence had been revoked and he was supposed to take a further test before he was allowed to drive.
Mr Fishwick said Cham has an as yet undiagnosed heart condition which is currently being monitored by doctors, and said a prison spell could threaten his treatment.
Police clocked the dangerous driver at speeds of 90mph in Crawley. Argus stock image of Sussex Police
Cham, of Drake Road, Crawley, contributes to his family and Mr Fishwick said the court should allow him to continue, but said Cham “regrets” his actions.
Judge Laing QC said: “This was an appalling piece of driving. Like many people living in Sussex I know that area well.
“Those roads are busy and you were endangering the lives of many people, not least the police officers trying to stop you.
“It was a truly dreadful piece of driving, thankfully no one was hurt.”
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