A DRUGGED-UP motorcyclist led police on a chase across Southampton - speeding through residential streets and mounting the kerb.

Darrell Curthoys' Yamaha appeared in front of officers driving along Spring Road hitting speeds of 40mph in 30 zones.

When officers gave chase, Curthoys ignored signals and mounted a kerb.

Prosecuting, Laura Duff said the 28-year-old lost control of the bike which slipped from beneath him.

But this didn’t stop him as he took off on foot towards Somerset Avenue.

He was later tracked down after a member of the public guided police to his location.

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Curthoys was found crouched down behind a fence and surrendered to police on Cheriton Avenue.

At the time of the chase on November 2, he had been on bail for a separate incident.

When he was arrested he tested positive for cocaine and cannabis.

But after refusing to provide blood due to a fear of needles, he was charged with failing to provide a sample.

Daily Echo: Somerset Avenue, Southampton,Somerset Avenue, Southampton, (Image: Newsquest)

He was also charged with failing to stop, dangerous driving, driving whilst disqualified and using a motor vehicle without insurance, which he pleaded guilty to.

Curthoys, of Ekless Court, appeared at Southampton Crown Court for sentencing on Thursday.

Mitigating, Jamie Gammon said he “doesn’t currently present as a very mature 28-year-old” adding: “he is clearly very ashamed of his behaviour”.

“It didn’t strike me as being anywhere near the most serious dangerous driving. He is remorseful for his behaviour.”

Mr Gammon added that he had only mounted the kerb for a “very short distance”, but accepted that his actions passed the custody threshold.

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Curthoys, who previously worked in a kitchen, had been in custody since the incident.

Judge, Nicholas Rowland, told Curthoys that “rather than keeping [his] head down” he was driving "dangerously".

Despite accepting that there is mitigation in the case, he said these were “serious offences”.

Curthoys was jailed for a total of eight months and has had his licence endorsed.

He was also disqualified from driving for three years and three months.

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