A MAN who flipped his car after a high-speed police chase through Winchester has been banned from driving for two years.

Jack Blyth, 21, first raised suspicion at around 11.30pm when he passed a police car and tried to "conceal his identity". He then sped away in his Vauxhall Corsa when the car switched on its blue lights.

Siobhan Linsley, prosecuting, said Mr Blyth turned onto Easton Lane from Winnall Manor Road without stopping at the give way lines.

She added: "Police said the car was travelling at up to 70mph at some stages. They lost sight of the car at Winnall Roundabout.

"Other officers picked it up as it drove back down Easton Lane and collided near the First in Last Out pub. A resident saw it upside down."

Mr Blyth, who had a head injury, was later arrested whilst walking through the city centre. Speaking during a police interview, he denied driving dangerously, saying he swerved to avoid a cat, and said he did not flee the scene as he had waited at the car for a while.

Winchester Crown Court also heard how a cyclist on the road had to quickly get out of the way of the speeding vehicle.

As well as banning him from driving for two years, Judge Andrew Barnett ordered a six month jail sentence suspended for a year.

He said: "You decided to briefly behave like a lunatic and drove in a thoroughly dangerous manner. I can see the affect it is having on you and you do realise how ridiculously stupid you've been.

"Therefore I will not be sending you to jail today, but if you're stupid enough to do anything else in a year, that will not be the case.

"I hope this court or any other court will never see you again."

Mr Blyth had not previously committed any other crimes.