A JUDGE has described it as a "miracle" nobody was killed after a dangerous driver tore through Barrow residential streets at double the speed limit.

On Tuesday Scott David Douglas, of James Street, Barrow, was in Barrow Crown Court to be sentenced for a string of dangerous motoring offences.

At an earlier hearing he had pleaded guilty to charges of dangerous driving, and driving while uninsured in relation to an incident late last year.

On December 20 the 27-year-old Douglas was pursued through the town as he tried to evade the police.

Douglas, who was known to the police after previously having his car impounded, sped off in a grey Audi when approached by officers.

The high-speed chase took Douglas through residential areas including Bath Street and Anson Street.

Officer statements taken after his arrest say the defendant drove over junctions without stopping, and at some points, had to reduce their own speed due to the extreme danger of their pursuit.

It was also heard that Douglas drove 40mph through 20mph zones.

In defence, Miss Claire Larton told how her client was trying to turn his life around.

She said: "He began a course at Furness College for a diploma in engineering. He's also taken GCSEs in maths, English and science."

Since the incident took place, the defendant has secured an apprenticeship with BAE. According to Miss Larton Douglas was only one of six candidates out of 3,000 applicants to make it onto the scheme.

Continuing the mitigation for her client, she added Douglas was an active member of the Hindpool Tigers Rugby Team, and was meant to appear in a charity match this weekend.

When sentencing, Her Honour Judge Beverley Lunt, said: "It's nothing short of a miracle that you didn't kill somebody. It's insane to drive like that.

"It's no small thing to get a job in Barrow, and I know that. You did not injure anybody. I don't think there is anyone who will appear in the next few weeks who will come as close to prison than you."

For the dangerous driving Douglas was sentenced to 12 months in prison, suspended for 12 months.

For the insurance offences he was sentenced to six months in prison, also suspended for 12 months.

He was disqualified from driving for 12 months, and had his licence endorsed with 15 points.

He was also ordered to pay £300 in court costs.

Read more from Furness Magistrates' Court:

An Ambleside driver has been banned after being seen swerving across the road

A mother from millom accused of child neglect has been sentenced

Firearms offences and threats of arson will see a Barrow man appear in Court on Friday July 7