FEARING that if the police caught him they would impound his car, a man with no licence led them on a high-speed chase through the town centre.

But despite getting the vehicle back from the police pound, magistrates have now seized the BMW.

Jake Gibbons, aged 23,pleaded guilty to driving without due care and attention, failing to stop when directed by a police officer and driving without a licence or insurance when he appeared before Swindon Magistrates.

Crown prosecutor Nick Barr told the court how the Welbeck Close resident had been spotted driving the 56-plate BMW 118 Sport at around 2.45am on Monday, August 8. After watching the driver take the corner of Station Road onto Corporation Street at speed they began to follow him.

They switched on their blue lights but Gibbons carried on driving, increasing his speed to between 50 mph and 60 mph in a 30 mph zone.

The high-speed getaway took the officers on a route through the town centre, along Groundwell Road, Drove Road and onto Calvert Road.

But his luck ran out when he turned into Logan Close and realised there was no escape.

He was arrested and taken into custody.

Defending, Gordon Hotson, told the magistrates: “He failed to stop because he knew if his vehicle was seized it was going to cost him a fortune to get it back. Clearly that foolery will cost him significantly in any event. He accepts that his driving was of a very poor standard.”

Chairman of the bench Jonathan Chappell imposed a fine of £120 for driving without due care and attention. £40 for failing to stop, £40 for driving without a licence and £120 for driving without insurance.

The BMW was made a possession of the crown with the proceeds of its sale going to the crown.”