A BMW driver who sprayed his car red after being chased by the police through east Swindon has been jailed for nine months.

Swindon Crown Court heard James Uyterhoeven-Pursey had been waiting at the roundabout at the junction of Dorcan Way and Kennedy Drive when he accelerated away from an undercover police car.

Officers followed the green BMW down Dorcan Way, switching on their blue lights and sirens after the car overtook another vehicle on the still-busy road shortly after 11pm on October 27, 2018.

The chase lasted less than two minutes, with police forced to call off the pursuit when they feared other road users could be put in danger.

Dash-cam footage from the patrol car showed officers accelerated to more than 70mph in an effort to catch the 27-year-old’s BMW. The road appeared to be wet.

Prosecutor Colin Meeke said officers managed to get the car’s number plate and a notice of prosecution was sent to the registered owner.

Uyterhoeven-Pursey replied to the letter in his own handwriting, admitting to being the driver. But when he came to be interviewed by police he changed his mind, denying being behind the wheel on the night of October 27.

Officers firstly checked data from his mobile phone, putting him in the area at the time of the chase.

Checks of his social media profiles boasted pictures of the green BMW – with some of the snaps showing the car with a different number plate, which checks revealed belonged to a silver BMW also owned by Uyterhoeven-Pursey. When police finally found the car in February 2019 it had been resprayed matte red, although distinctive stickers remained.

Mr Meeke labelled the driver’s efforts to cover his tracks crude, but praised the determination of officer in the case, PC Scott Young. He said: “It is quite clear Constable Young pursued it like a dog with a bone to make sure he got this.”

Uyterhoeven-Pursey, of Queens Drive, pleaded guilty to dangerous driving and perverting the course of justice.

Emma Handslip, defending, said her client had been worried as he did not have a MOT for the BMW and had just secured a new job that required him to drive. He did not want to lose that job and he did not understand how serious his actions were. He had used the time since his arrest constructively, remaining in work. He was remorseful and had never gone to prison before.

“It is pure stupidity and he’s been caught out and he’s going to face very serious consequences,” she said.

Uyterhoeven-Pursey was banned from the roads for two years and four months and ordered to pay a £140 victim surcharge. The car was forfeit.