A 45-year-old man who drove while disqualified on the M5 and then tried to escape police on foot in Droitwich has been given a custodial sentence.

John-Paul Thomas, who gave his address as Chelsea Meadow, Plymouth, admitted four charges when he appeared at Worcester Magistrates Court on Friday, August 12.

Prosecuting Mark Johnson said Thomas was spotted driving his vehicle, a gold Peugeot, at 8pm on Thursday, August 11 on the M5, near the Droitwich turn off – Junction 5.

Police indicated for him to stop and pulled in front of Thomas, but he failed to stop, Mr Johnson said.

He continued on to a roadworks section, at which point he left the vehicle and tried to escape, running across a field. Police pursued him on foot, before reaching Thomas and arresting him near the A38.

Thomas initially gave his name as John James, but Mr Johnson said his true identity became apparent after speaking to a passenger, at which point Thomas made a full admission.

Mr Johnson added that as Thomas had come from Plymouth, “clearly he has been travelling a significant distance”.

Defending, Gurdeep Singh said Thomas had been travelling in the vehicle from his home to see friends in Wolverhampton.

As he was wanted by police for not showing up to court in another case in Plymouth, he panicked when police tried to stop him, Mr Singh said.

Mr Singh pointed out he had pleaded guilty at the first opportunity, and his partner was now pregnant so he wanted to put an end to his past trouble and start a new life.

Magistrates gave Thomas a three month custodial sentence for driving while disqualified, and gave him four weeks to run concurrently for obstructing a police officer in carrying out their duties.

Thomas was also ordered to pay costs of £135, and a victim surcharge £115 – a total of £250.

For failing to stop, and for driving without insurance, there were no additional penalties.