A DANGEROUS driver who led two police cars on a chase through Gloucester claimed he did not see their flashing blue lights – because he was not wearing his specs.

Desmond Lawrence, 42, was arrested when he stopped outside his home after being pursued by patrol cars for about three miles.

He denied jumping red lights, claiming they were on amber when he went through them. And he said he had not seen the police cars because he was not wearing his glasses.

But his explanation was given short shrift by Judge Martin Picton at Gloucester Crown Court. He said: "You must have known they were there with two cars and flashing lights, glasses or no glasses."

Lawrence, of Deerhurst Place, Quedgeley, denied aggravated vehicle taking but pleaded guilty to dangerous driving on March 18 this year. He also admitted driving without insurance. His pleas were accepted by the prosecution.

Lawrence admitted a dangerous drive which led police from Trier Way, along King Edward's Avenue, Tuffley Avenue, Bowly Road, Podsmead Road, and Cole Avenue to Bristol Road.

Prosecutor David Martin said at 2am on March 18 police on patrol in Eastgate Street, Gloucester, saw Lawrence driving a Vauxhall car owned by his ex-partner Linda Smart.

They checked the vehicle and found it was insured only for a female driver so they started following it and put on their blue lights to tell the driver to stop. Mr Martin said: "Another car joined the pursuit in Stroud Road and put on its blue light and siren. The Vauxhall still did not stop. It went through more red traffic lights in Podsmead Road at the junction with Cole Avenue and at the junction with the A38.

"The car turned left into Deerhurst Place and stopped. The defendant was arrested. He said he didn't have his glasses on and had not seen the flashing lights."

Before Joe Maloney, defending, could begin his defence address, Judge Martin Picton said he would defer sentence for six months to see if Lawrence could stay out of trouble.

"This is serious," he said. "You can't try to outrun the police. You must have known they were there, glasses or no glasses.

"If you lead a law-abiding life for the next six months and stay out of trouble I will find a way of dealing with you that does not mean locking you up immediately. I will find some way you can repay the community other than by loss of liberty."