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The "lunatic" driver could have killed someone as he raced through the streets on March 19.

Hamilton, 20, sped off from police at about 70mph in a Vauxhall Vectra with four passengers.

Snow, ice and slush were visible on the roads and windscreens as he bolted down the A66, Eston and Normanby.

He ran red lights and drove the wrong way around two roundabouts in built-up suburban streets, Teesside Crown Court heard yesterday.

(Image: EVENING GAZETTE)

Motorists had to move and pull over to avoid being hit as he hared past, said prosecutor Emma Atkinson.

Several police cars joined the chase and one had to give up at one point because it was not safe to continue the eight to nine-minute pursuit, captured on police video.

An unidentified item was thrown from the car as it was driven on to Normanby High Street, before the car skidded off Cleveland Street.

The provisional licence holder fled the car with his four passengers but he was soon arrested smelling of cannabis, the court was told.

(Image: EVENING GAZETTE)

Hamilton, of Grangetown, admitted dangerous driving and having no licence or insurance.

Judge Sean Morris told him: "It was a disgraceful piece of driving and you should regard yourself as fortunate that you are not before the court for causing serious injury through dangerous driving, or even death.

"Your passengers are lucky to be alive.

"Something was thrown out of the window.

“It's obvious to me you had a motive to behave as you did.

"You put police officers at risk who were just doing their job and you could have killed other people.

"I'm afraid police chases kill and the message has to go out – if a blue light is behind you and you put your foot down, you go down."

Andrew Turton, defending, said: "It's difficult to explain why this young man got into the car and did what he did on that evening.

"Clearly a prolonged piece of poor driving.

“He says he panicked, but no excuse.

"Thankfully no person was injured.”

Mr Turton said his client has no previous convictions and had never been in trouble with police.

He added Hamilton lived with his mother, had a good work ethic and could make something of himself.

Hamilton was jailed for eight months and banned from driving for 40 months.