A DRUG-FUELLED dangerous driver has avoided jail despite leading police on a chase through Northwich on Christmas Day.

Tristan Manley, of Briar Lane, Weaverham, came to the attention of patrolling officers on December 25 last year when they spotted a silver Renault Clio driving erratically in Venables Road.

The police attempted to stop the vehicle and indicated to the 22-year-old to pull over, but instead he sped off at 50mph in a 20mph zone.

Officers pursued the vehicle into a dead end, where it came to a stop, before taking Manley into custody.

Blood tests revealed he had 32μg/L of cocaine and 800μg/L of Benzoylecgonine, a cocaine breakdown product, in his system. The legal limits for these drugs are 10μg/L and 50μg/L respectively.

Manley was charged with two counts of drug-driving, dangerous driving, failing to stop, driving without insurance, and driving otherwise in accordance with a licence. 

After pleading guilty to all charges on July 23, Manley appeared at Chester Magistrates Court for sentencing on August 20.

Due to the seriousness of the offence, the fact it involved a police pursuit, and Manley's level of impairment, magistrates handed him a 24-week jail term, suspended for 18 months.

The court heard the sentence was suspended due to there being a realistic prospect of rehabilitation for the defendant.

Manley was also ordered to complete 150 hours of unpaid work and was banned from driving for 18 months.