A DISQUALIFIED Oldbury driver involved in a high speed police chase after opting to give two women a lift home from a party has been locked up for a year.

Sundip Sidhu who was nearly twice over the alcohol limit hit speeds of up to 80mph as he tried to shake off pursuing police officers.

The 26-year-old who had taken his mother's hire car without permission went through a red traffic light before finally losing control of the Peugeot 2308 and crashing into a fence.

Joanne Barker, prosecuting, told Wolverampton Crown Court Sidhu then got stuck as he tried to climb into a rear seat of the vehicle as he claimed he had not been behind the wheel before making another unsuccessful escape attempt.

She added Sidhu, a warehouse supervisor, then provided police officers with a breath test that read 67 microgrammes when the legal limit was 35.

Sidhu, of Theodore Close, admitted aggravated vehicle taking, driving with excess alcohol, while disqualified and having no insurance.

The court was told Sidhu, who had 17 previous convictions on his record, accepted he had behaved recklessly and irresponsibly

Preet Paul-Tutt, for Sidhu, agreed it was fortunate no-one had been hurt in the incident as he stressed the vehicle was not stolen. "It was taken for his own use as opposed to theft." he said.

Miss Barker said the patrolling police officers spotted the car travelling through Oldbury in the early hours and they gave chase when Sidhu who was behind the wheel refused to pull over.

He accelerated away at up to 80mph in what was a 30mph limit.

Sidhu was told he will have to serve a further three year driving ban to begin when he is released from his time behind bars.