A SOUTHAMPTON man with a string of driving convictions has been banned from the roads.

Tony Baker drove like an idiot and was in danger of killing somebody when he jumped red lights in Southampton, warned a crown court judge.

The 66-year-old had been spotted driving a white van by officers in an unmarked patrol car in the Shirley ward of the city.

Prosecution barrister Alex Williams said how a police camera “showed that the driver was subject to a disqualification.

“They made attempts to request the vehicle to stop.”

However, Baker of Coxford Drove, Southampton sped off.

Mr Williams added how he “accelerated away from the police vehicle through a red traffic light where a pedestrian was about to cross the road.”

From Shirley High Street, Baker led the patrol car - which had activated its blue lights and sirens - down smaller and smaller residential streets.

He eventually hit a dead end and fled on foot - he was arrested a short while after.

Appearing before Southampton Crown Court, he was charged with driving a motor vehicle dangerously, otherwise than in accordance with a licence, using a motor vehicle on a road without third party insurance, and failing to stop vehicle when directed by a PC.

He previously pleaded guilty to the offences which happened on February 21 this year.

Defending, Stephanie Painter, said Baker was open and honest with police in interview.

Furthermore, he accepts full responsibility for his actions.

Ms Painter told how Baker is self-employed and runs a car spraying but would be willing to do unpaid work. She argued it was a “fairly low-speed incident”.

From 31 occasions, he has 112 offences on his criminal record - Judge Christopher Parker QC said: “Some of these have been for violence but the vast majority have been for driving. This is your third conviction for dangerous driving.”

He scolded him and said he “needs to grow up”. He was jailed for six months, suspended for 18-months and disqualified for three years.

Baker was fined £300 and must pay £250 in costs.