AN UNLICENSED driver who sped away from police in his Mercedes saloon has been jailed for a year.

Daniel Cheesly slalomed between other vehicles, risking a head on crash, before smashing into a truck.

And the 29-year-old, who had a female passenger, then fled from the scene on foot only to hand himself in to police soon after.

Nick Fridd, prosecuting, told Swindon Crown Court how police saw the black Mercedes C180 on Cricklade Road on Saturday March 24.

He said he followed the car on Whitworth Road and The Circle in Pinehurst and was approaching when Cheesly drove off.

Mr Fridd said "He was driving in a residential area with a 20mph limit at very high speed."

He said he went through a red traffic light on to Ferndale Road where he collided with a tipper truck and parked car.

"He then reversed from the back of the truck and continued to speed, eventually abandoning the vehicle and running off," he said.

He said he handed himself in later, telling police he had heard he was wanted, and admitted what he had done.

Cheesly, of Holliday Close, Abbey Meads, admitted dangerous driving, failing to stop for police and after an accident and driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence.

The court heard he had a long history of motoring crime including driving while disqualified last year.

Probation officer Michelle James told the court he had a long history of non compliance with community orders.

She said he had done just one of 47 hours of unpaid work imposed on another order as well as other courses and she could not recommend any non custodial order.

Chris Smyth, defending, said that he accepts he is going to jail for the first time in his life.

"He decamped from the vehicle but virtually immediately went to the police station to hand himself in. He did that I am told because he thought 'Did I really do that?'" he said.

Mr Smyth said that though he did not have a licence he was not under the influence of drink or drugs at the time.

Jailing him Judge Robert Pawson said "Your driving was appalling, as has been described. Slaloming between vehicles.

"The reason it is 20mph zone Mr Cheesly is because there are so many people around including pedestrians and if you drive like that you are risking killing people.

"One vehicle coming the other way had to get out of the way and you eventually crashed into another vehicle."

He also banned him from the road for two and a half years and until he passes an extended test.