Man who sped through Eastleigh jailed at Southampton Crown Court

Jordan Burke jumped red lights, drove on the opposite side of the road and mounted pavement during a bank holiday police chase.

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When two unmarked police cars “boxed him in” at traffic lights in Wide Lane, Eastleigh he “revved his engine and put his car into reverse” - he narrowly avoided striking an officer, a court heard.

Jordan Burke

The 23-year-old then drove forwards “pushing” a police car out of the way during the incident at around 11.40pm on August 23 last year.

Prosecution barrister, Amber Athill told how Burke was “seen going through several red lights without braking or slowing down”.

He “overtook other drivers on the wrong side of the road and drove the wrong way around a roundabout”, she added.

Burke of Westfield Road, Chandler’s Ford appeared before Southampton Crown Court on Monday.

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He was charged with driving a motor vehicle dangerously, the possession of an offensive weapon in a public place, and the possession of cocaine and cannabis - he previously pleaded guilty.

During the pursuit which went down Southampton Road, Leigh Road, Sopwith Road, Stranding Street and ending in Pluto Road, Burke “reached speeds of 70mph in a 30mph area”.

He only stopped his BMW 1 when officers blocked his path but not before causing “£9,334” in damage to a police car which pulled up in front of him.

After being searched he was found to be in possession of 0.9g of cannabis and 0.5g of cocaine, as well as a police-style baton.

With a previous conviction for fracturing a man’s jaw with a sock stuffed with pool balls, he also has drugs and a drink driving offence to his name.

Defending, Khalid Missouri told how his client earns “up to £40,000 a year” as a digger driver.

He argued Burke had acted impulsively without realising the consequences of his actions.

And, that it was “immaturity that caused him to act this way.

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During sentencing, Mr Recorder Don Tait said how Burke drove in an “extremely dangerous fashion" in built-up areas where there were pedestrians. He added  "You caused significant damage to another vehicle and potentially you put the lives of those officers at risk.

“I have come to the conclusion that the dangerous driving was so serious that only an immediate custodial sentence is appropriate.”

He jailed him for 16 months. When he is released on licence he will be disqualified from driving for two-years.