A DRUG addict accelerated to 70mph in a high-speed police chase through a Southampton neighbourhood, a court heard.

Jamie Toone mounted pavements, jumped red lights and caused oncoming cars to swerve during a pursuit in a desperate bid to lose officers in a late-night pursuit.

Now a Judge has granted him a “last chance” to ditch the drugs – ordering him to tackle his addiction.

It comes as Toone pledged to turn over a new leaf after receiving a suspended prison sentence for dangerous driving.

Toone, 39, of Lavender Close, admitted the charge – and two separate charges of shoplifting.

Southampton Crown Court heard how officers in a squad car began pursing Toone when spotting him driving a red Volkswagen Polo with a broken light in Woodmill Lane in the city.

Prosecutor Simon Edwards said Toone “pulled away” into Dell Road, speeding along residential roads in Midanbury, Bitterne and Peartree, accelerating over a Give Way junction, jumping a red light and mounting a pavement to swerve past parked vehicles.

Mr Edwards told the court: “He was travelling on the wrong side of the road, reaching 70mph in a 30mph zone and causing oncoming vehicles to take evasive action or pull over.”

The court heard how he lost control of the Polo in Acacia Road when the offside wheel hit a kerb and he, got out and ran down an alleyway.

Officers lost him but later found him hiding in a house in Lavender Avenue, where he was arrested, it was heard.

The court heard how he also admitted stealing food from Tesco Express on August 25 and a vehicle part from Halfords on September 4 – offences breaching a community order for previously stealing a leg of lamb.

In mitigation barrister Charles Coshand said his client borrowed the car from his girlfriend to search for drugs and had “panicked” when police began tailing him.

Mr Coshand said: “It was panic driven by his addiction to drugs. But this is a man who has tried to seek help and address his addiction voluntarily.”

Judge Peter Henry ruled Toone – who has 14 previous convictions for a string of offences including for drugs and other driving penalties – deserved another chance to tackle his addiction.

He received an eight-month prison sentence suspended for two years, Judge Henry said: “This was an unpleasant piece of driving. You were driving at high speed and and went through a Give Way sign and a red light.

“I will give you a last chance – fail and you will be back in jail.”

He was also was disqualified from driving for 18 months, must retake his test and was ordered to complete a six-month drug rehabilitation order.

A charge of taking a vehicle without consent and driving without insurance was ordered to lie on file.