Man led police on 145mph chase moments after he was banned for drug driving

A man who had just left court after being banned from driving led police on a 145mph car chase.

Jason Ryder, 45, had just lost his licence after being caught drug driving when he stepped out of the courthouse and got behind the wheel of a black Audi 3.

He then ignored officer’s signals for him to stop and sped off down the motorway, reaching speeds of up to 145mph as he weaved in and out of traffic along the A59, A1(M) northbound and A6055 towards Northallerton on March 20.

North Yorkshire Police said other drivers were forced to get out of Ryder’s way to avoid colliding with him.

The rogue driver only stopped when police used a stinger to deflate his car tyres.

He was jailed for 10 months at York Crown Court on Thursday after pleading guilty to driving while disqualified, dangerous driving and failing to stop, the force said.

Ryder, of Evenwood, Bishop Auckland, Co Durham, was initially arrested in August 2022 for driving while under the influence of drugs.

He was convicted of that offence on March 20 this year at Harrogate Magistrates’ Court, where he was disqualified from driving for 12 months.

It was shortly after this that he got in the car and the police chase ensued.

Traffic Sergeant Paul Cording, of North Yorkshire Police, said: ‘It is extremely fortunate that no-one was injured as a result of Ryder’s actions.

‘Not only did he put other road users at huge risk due to the dangerous manner of his driving, he also showed a complete disregard for the judicial system.’

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