A DRIVER who risked lives during a high-speed police chase hurled abuse at a judge who jailed him for his "terrible" offences.

Lee Hogben was already banned from driving until 2008 when he embarked on the dangerous crime in April this year, Bournemouth Crown Court was told.

The 21-year-old has been convicted of driving while disqualified seven times and has received two previous jail terms for dangerous driving.

After one case in 2002, his mother slammed the "soft" sentence he received and said he should have received more than seven months' detention in a young offenders' institution.

This week the court was told how Hogben was seen behind the wheel of a car in Ringwood Road on April 21 by a police officer.

When he realised he had been spotted, he set off on a three-mile journey to Corfe Mullen at speeds of up to 80mph.

Mr Recorder Llewelyn Sellick heard that he crashed into two cars, swerved to avoid on-coming vehicles and overtook on blind bends.

The vehicle finally came to rest when it spun out of control, crossed a main road and crashed into a road sign.

Hogben, of Palmerston Road, Boscombe, pleaded guilty to dangerous driving and was given a 21-month jail term, banned from driving for four years and ordered to take an extended driving test.

He also admitted driving while disqualified and was jailed for five months, to run consecutively, and his licence was endorsed. No separate penalty was given for his guilty plea to driving with no insurance.

Sentencing him, the judge said: "You drove with total disregard for the safety of other road users. It was a busy time of the day and you were driving through a built-up area.

"You were causing vehicles to swerve out of your way over that whole distance. This terrible driving leaves the court with no alternative."

Defending, Chris Gair told the court Hogben suffers from a severe personality disorder and added: "Mr Hogben is a troubled young man."

First published: Sept 30