A MAN has been jailed for six months following a 100mph late night police chase through a Southampton estate during which he turned off his car lights.

Gregory Hicks, 21, sped off after police spotted him driving down crowded East Street in the city centre.

Prosecutor Sarah Dineley said that when police activated their blue lights and sirens, Hicks still refused to stop and accelerated away in his Vauxhall Astra.

He drove the wrong side of a keep left bollard in Queensway and went the wrong way up a one-way street before jumping a red traffic light.

The pursuit continued through Northam where his speed increased from 50mph to 80mph on roads restricted to 30mph.

Hicks ignored another red light before heading into Empress Road where his speed touched 90mph and he turned off his lights.

Police lost sight of him but his registration number had been noted and he was arrested six days later at his job in Romsey.

In a police interview, Hicks accepted he should have stopped and admitted that in Empress Road his speed had reached three figures and he had turned his lights out to evade the police.

He said he was panicking and realised the situation was serious.

Hicks, of Sopwith Road, Eastleigh, pleaded guilty at Southampton Crown Court to dangerous driving, driving while disqualified and having no insurance. He was jailed for six months and banned from driving for a further 18 months.

Judge Derwin Hope also ordered Hicks to take an extended re-test and said his car would be forfeited.

In mitigation, David Jenkins said there was little he could say in mitigation about the offences but he had pleaded guilty and there was no evidence of drink or drugs being involved.

He had not re-offended since the incident five months ago and was a good hard working man with prospects of managerial promotion. On that night he simply made the wrong choice.

Passing sentence, the judge told Hicks that he had put other road users at risk and had shown scant regard to traffic laws.

"I have no doubt your actions are so serious only a term of immediate custody can be justified, not only to punish you but also to give out a clear deterrent message to others," he added.