“He has been handed an immediate prison sentence, which reflects the seriousness of his offending.”

A Derbyshire drug-driver, who led officers on a dangerous chase across a number of residential streets, has been jailed.

Officers suspected that the disqualified driver Jack Vickrage, 28, of Ripley, was behind the wheel of a black Ford Transit van being driven on Nottingham Road in Ripley just before 2pm on Friday, July 17.

After confirming the identity of the driver, officers activated blue lights to indicate for the vehicle to stop but the van immediately picked up speed to accelerate away from them.

Without indicating, Vickrage then cut a corner into Porterhouse Road and drove at speed whilst in a built-up area.

He ended up at a dead end in Stenson Court before reversing at speed into some wooden gates and fencing, causing significant damage.

Vickrage appeared to drive the van forwards toward a police car, which had blocked the vehicle in.

He was arrested and tested positive for cannabis at the side of the road.

Officers also found a quantity of the Class B drug in the vehicle.

Vickrage admitted all offences during a police interview and said he had panicked and was trying to get himself out of the situation.

He denied intentionally trying to ram the police car and instead claimed he was trying to get past the side of them.

Vickrage admitted all offences during a police interview and said he had panicked and was trying to get himself out of the situation.

He denied intentionally trying to ram the police car and instead claimed he was trying to get past the side of them.

Whilst on bail for these offences, he was stopped by officers whilst driving through Horsley Woodhouse and a quantity of cannabis was discovered in the vehicle.

Vickrage, of Hill Street, Ripley, was charged with driving while disqualified, drug-driving, dangerous driving and two counts of cannabis possession.

The 28-year-old pleaded guilty to all charges.

He was jailed for 14 months and banned from driving for two years during a sentencing hearing at Derby Crown Court on Tuesday, October 27.

Police constable Kyle Lambert, of the Ripley Safer Neighbourhood Team (SNT), said: “In leading officers on this dangerous pursuit, Vickrage showed no regard for the safety of others.

“This all happened in a built-up area at a time of day when there were other vehicles being driven around and pedestrians walking on the pavement – and he was under the influence of illegal drugs.

“His offending continued after this incident, and he was caught behind the wheel again, and with a quantity of drugs in the car, which shows a blatant disregard for the law.

“This case highlights why you should always stop when directed to by a police officer, otherwise you will only end up in an even worse situation.

“We are pleased to see that he has been handed an immediate prison sentence, which reflects the seriousness of his offending.”