A motorist who sped away from police during a car chase has been jailed for 20 weeks.

William Russell was already disqualified from driving until 2024.

The 43-year-old pleaded guilty to failing to stop for police, driving while disqualified and having no insurance.

Prosecuting advocate Rebecca Cubbon told the court how Russell was banned from driving for five years in 2019 for failing to provide a sample of breath.

Despite this, police saw Russell driving a BMW heading towards the Quarterbridge on December 15 at 3.10am.

Officers pulled in front of Russell at the McDonald’s fast food restaurant in Douglas but he reversed his BMW and then drove around them, making off at speed.

Police followed with their lights and siren on but estimated that Russell was going 70mph in a 30mph zone so they deemed it would be unsafe to pursue him.

The BMW was later found abandoned in Hutchinson Square.

Russell, who lives in Berrywoods Grove, Douglas, was arrested and handed in a prepared statement saying that he was in the vehicle but had not been driving. He said it had been a friend whom he would not name.

Ms Cubbon said that there had not been enough evidence to lay a charge regarding the speed.

Deputy High Bailiff Chris Arrowsmith suggested adjourning for a probation report as he warned Russell that custody was a possibility.

However, defence advocate Stephen Wood said that his client wished to be sentenced on the day without a report.

Mr Wood handed in three references for Russell as well as a letter from Russell himself.

The advocate said that the 70mph speed was only the view of the officer but it was accepted that he had been driving at excessive speed.

Mr Wood said that, after the five year ban, Russell had suffered a period of depression as being unable to drive had led to him selling his business.

’Earlier in the evening they had a driver,’ said the advocate. ’It hasn’t been a flagrant ignoring of the court order. It was a disasterous decision. A relatively brief period of failing to stop for officers. It was panic at seeing the officers in front of him.

’This is his first driving while disqualified and I would submit it will be his last.’

Deputy High Bailiff Mr Arrowsmith said that it was an aggravating factor that Russell had driven so soon after his ban.

He sentenced Russell to 20 weeks custody for the driving while disqualified with no separate penalties made for the other two offences.

Russell’s licence was also endorsed with six points.