Driver in this footage spared jail despite racing at twice the speed limit with pregnant girlfriend in his Nissan Micra

Jordan Archer, 19, who consumed strong cannabis daily, raced through busy residential areas in and around his home town of Blyth, Northumberland, with his heavily pregnant girlfriend in tow.

The latest hearing comes after Archer appeared in court for headbutting his girlfriend in Sunderland Royal Hospital just three days after birth of premature son in what a judge described as “one of the most unpleasant assaults imaginable”.

During one of the pursuits police were forced to chase Archer's Nissan Micra for 17 miles as he weaved through built up areas, and drove on the wrong side of the road, putting pedestrians at risk.

Newcastle Crown Court was told that one of Archer's two passengers had shone a light from a mobile phone through a window in a bid to distract the police officer chasing them.

Dash cam footage shows Archer's vehicle, which he had bought despite having no licence and no insurance, being rammed by two police cars as he is finally brought to a standstill.

The court heard Archer had driven at up to 70 miles per hour during one pursuit, had near misses with other vehicles and sped through busy urban areas, trunk roads and industrial estates.

At a previous hearing Archer pleaded guilty to two counts of dangerous driving, having no insurance, driving otherwise in accordance with a licence and possession of cannabis.

Judge Julie Clemitson told Archer: "The fact you had no headlights on made your driving more dangerous.

"You consumed strong cannabis daily and that was likely to be in your system at the time you committed both offences."

She added Archer had bought the car knowing he had no insurance or licence, showing he had, "disregarded the rules of the road".

Judge Clemitson handed him a 14 month jail term, suspended for 18 months, with rehabilitation requirements, and banned him from driving for three years.

She also ordered him to live with his father at First Avenue in the town and abide by a night time curfew for six months. He must also sit an extended driving test before he is allowed to get behind a wheel again.

Defence barrister Shaun Routledge told the court Archer had spent his time on remand positively, working in the kitchen, and has the support of his father and grandparents.

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