A DRIVER who was involved in a high-speed pursuit with police only two weeks after he was given a suspended prison sentence has been given 'one chance' to avoid being locked up.

Unlicensed and uninsured Scott Hacking, 31, was spotted behind the wheel of Citroen C4 by police officers on patrol in Saltaire last August, but when they tried to stop him he drove off at speeds of up to 80mph.

Bradford Crown Court heard yesterday how Hacking forced an ambulance coming in the opposite direction to pull over to the side of the road to avoid a head-on collision and overtook other cars which pulled up at a set of red lights.

Prosecutor Peter Byrne said during the early evening pursuit Hacking drove through the red light and eventually managed to get away from the pursuing police vehicle.

A member of the public directed the officers towards the Bradford Rowing Club and the Citroen was found abandoned on a dirt road in the area.

Hacking was arrested by other police officers and was suspected of being over the drink-drive limit.

Last month Hacking admitted an offence of dangerous driving and the court heard that he had also pleaded guilty to driving without a licence and without insurance.

Hacking is still due to stand trial in the magistrates court for the related allegation of driving while on the limit.

Barrister Camille Morland, for Hacking, conceded that his driving had been "selfish and idiotic" and said he had panicked because he did not have a licence.

Although the offence took place only two weeks after Hacking was made the subject of the suspended prison sentence she said he had been complying with the community order.

Miss Morland urged Judge Colin Burn to defer sentence on Hacking until after the drink-drive allegation was resolved and to see if he could continue to engage with the probation service.

"I'm going to have to say he's going to make spectacular progress otherwise a prison sentence is highly likely," said Judge Burn.

"I'm going to give you one chance to try to demonstrate some progress."

Hacking, formerly of Coniston Grove, Baildon, was told he would have to come back to the crown court for his deferred sentence on June 10.