A MAN has been spared jail after leading police on a dangerous 167mph chase.
Daniel Tunstead, of Moore Close in Widnes, appeared at Mold Crown Court for sentence on Friday for sentence.
The 35-year-old had previously admitted offences of dangerous driving, drug driving and driving without insurance.
Catherine Elvin, prosecuting, explained that on February 23 this year, police on patrol near Bangor had received information about a black BMW vehicle which was being driven suspiciously.
Officers first sighted it on Caernarfon Road and followed as it joined the A55 at Junction 10; where the driving style changed.
The vehicle braked harshly on the slip road before accelerating away at more than 100mph.
Despite the pursuing officers using blue lights and sirens, the BMW failed to stop - and in fact increased speed to 167mph.
At the Llanfairfechan roundabout, the vehicle turned off down Penmaenmawr Road and then attempted to negotiate a 'harsh' 90 degree right turn.
It failed to make the turn however, and crashed into a lamppost.
Two passengers got out, followed by a male - Tunstead - from the driver's door.
He attempted to run but was tackled to the ground and arrested 200 metres away from the abandoned vehicle.
It was later confirmed that he was over the limit for cannabis and had no insurance policy.
Ms Elvin told the court Tunstead had three convictions for three previous offences; one of which was a drug-drive in 2022.
Amy Edwards, defending, told the court: "The probation service say he is able to demonstrate good empathy and did not seek to minimise what he'd done at any point.
"He had dropped a vehicle off and was driving home when this took place.
"He is lightly convicted and has never been to prison before."
Ms Edwards said her client's substance misuse was something he had sought help with - and had been taking is "seriously."
"He does have a job lined up in a body repair shop," Ms Edwards continued.
"The pre-sentence report says he has a low risk of reoffending - he has demonstrated he's a good prospect of rehabilitation."
Judge Nicola Jones told the defendant: "You accelerated to 100mph and then further to 167.
"You were driving far in excess of the speed limit and you had passengers who could have been killed that day.
"I don't know why you think you can come here and drive like this."
The judge imposed an overall sentence of eight months imprisonment, but suspended it for 12 months with 20 rehabilitation activity days.
Tunstead was banned from driving for three years and must pay a £187 victim surcharge.
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