A motorist who raced the wrong way down a busy dual carriageway, terrifying other motorists as he desperately tried to evade police, has been jailed.

Andell Butcher, who has a history of dangerous driving, was told by a judge that it was a “miracle” that nobody was seriously hurt in the dramatic chase in Hedge End.

Southampton Crown Court heard how one driver, confronted with Butcher heading towards him at speed on the wrong side of the road, froze because he feared they would be in a head-on collision.

The court was told that the drama took place last month when officers began pursuing the 32-year-old as he left junction 7 of the eastbound M27 on to Upper Northam Road.

Butcher drove the white Nissan Qashqai twice round the roundabout before pulling up outside Hedge End golf driving range.

But when the police got out to speak to him he sped off and did a U-turn.

He then drove off at speed down the wrong side of the road and round a blind corner on to Charles Watts Way, with officers in hot pursuit.

The court was read a statement from a driver, Mr M Sumra, who said: “I froze and honestly thought the white four-by-four was going to crash into me head on. It passed just a few inches from me.”

Prosecutor Jane Terry told the court how Butcher then hurtled up Charles Watts Way before turning down Turnpike Way where he dumped the car. He then ran through an open garage door into a property, from which the terrified resident fled.

Miss Terry added: “The defendant only came out of the address when a police dog was called.”

Butcher, from Curtin Drive, Wednesbury, near Birmingham, admitted dangerous driving during the pursuit on August 12.

Speaking via video-link from HMP Winchester, he also admitted possessing cannabis.

Nicola Attwood, defending, said he had pleaded guilty at the first opportunity and no one was hurt. She added: “He tried to evade the police and accepts that.”

Judge Nicolas Rowland recalled Butcher to prison for a previous sentence, which will expire in 2016, as well as handing down a 12-month jail term for the dangerous driving and two months for possession of cannabis, to run at the same time. He was also banned from driving for three years.

Judge Rowland said: “It’s a miracle that somebody wasn’t seriously injured, or worse as a result. If it had you would have been facing a much more serious charge.”