A Dundee man has been jailed for six months at Arbroath Sheriff Court after admitting drink-driving while banned.
James Bryson, 27, of Balerno Place, led police officers on a high-speed chase across Arbroath while more than twice the legal limit.
He had previously pleaded guilty to driving on various roads in Arbroath on January 14 while disqualified, with excess alcohol (81 mic) and without insurance.
Bryson also admitted driving on the wrong side of a road, causing him to almost collide with a marked police van, striking a kerb and mounting a pavement.
He further admitted driving dangerously by driving the wrong way around a roundabout, travelling at excessive speeds through residential areas, and failing to stop at traffic lights or give way at junctions.
Depute fiscal Hazel Anderson described how Bryson was followed by three police cars with flashing lights through Burnside Drive, Lordburn and East Abbey Street in Arbroath.
She told the court: “The vehicle in question was a Renault Clio belonging to a friend and the offences took place at 1am on a Tuesday morning.
“A marked police vehicle approached Bryson’s car near a traffic light and he then drove off at speed.
“The police car activated its blue lights and followed as the car turned right into Burnside Drive.
“Bryson failed to stop at a traffic light and then slowed to a crawl as he headed towards a roundabout, before again driving away at speed.
“He drove the wrong way around the roundabout into Lordburn, narrowly avoiding a head-on collision with a police vehicle.
“He continued at speed followed by three police vehicles. As he turned right into East Abbey Street, he lost control of the car, mounting the pavement.
“Officers traced him in the driver’s seat of the car. He told them: ‘I’m giving up’.”
On Tuesday, his defence agent admitted Bryson was “no stranger to custody” and that he had breached many court orders in the past, although none since 2009.
She told the court her client suffered from anxiety and depression, but instead of seeking help he had turned to drink and drugs.
“He is under no illusions that if he breaches an order he will be remanded, but I ask that he be given the opportunity,” she added.
However, Sheriff Gregor Murray said he could see no alternative to a custodial sentence.
He told Bryson: “You have a dreadful record for driving while disqualified.”
He sentenced him to six months in custody, backdated to January 14, and disqualified him from driving for four years.