A man who drove at speeds of more than 100 mph while being chased by police avoided a prison sentence.

Oxford Crown Court heard that two passengers in the car driven by Alexander Martin, 33, of Winaway, Harwell, begged him to stop as he sped away from two police cars on February 13 last year.

Martin, who was convicted of dangerous driving and failing to give information to identify a driver at Wantage Magistrates' Court last month, appeared at Oxford Crown Court to be sentenced.

Cathy Olliver, prosecuting, said that on the night of the offences, Martin had been at the Ladygrove Pub in Didcot, and at about 11.35pm offered two friends a lift home in his BMW M3.

She told the court that almost immediately a police car on patrol flashed at Martin telling him to stop but he accelerated away, speeding through Didcot along the A4130 towards the A34 Milton Interchange.

There, an armed response police car took over in pursuit, following Martin as he turned into Featherbed Lane. He slowed down but the police were unable to stop him as the lane was too narrow. Martin continued towards Rowstock, and was doing 90 mph as he approached the 30mph zone, before heading towards Harwell to join the A34.

Ms Olliver added: "He was travelling at a speed at which the police armed vehicle could not catch him, and I understand that vehicle is capable of doing 120mph."

She said the two passengers were screaming at Martin to stop, but it was only when he managed to lose the second police car that he let them out at the roadside. He was later arrested at his home.

Nigel Daly, defending, said Martin had panicked when he realised he was being followed by police. "He behaved in a stupid, irresponsible and dangerous fashion which he accepts," he said.

Judge Anthony King said Martin had driven at "grotesque speeds".

Warning him that he could have been jailed, he sentenced Martin to a 200-hour community punishment order, banned him from driving for 30 months and ordered him to pay £267 prosecution costs.