POLICE officers gave chase at a speed of 140mph after a car driven by an Oxfordshire man overtook them on a motorway on the inside lane, a court heard.

At the wheel of the Nissan was Steven Swain, 41, of Evenlode, Banbury, who then accelerated away on the M25 in Kent at more than 120mph as he headed for Gravesend town centre.

Maidstone Crown Court was told on Friday that he drove at 70mph around blind bends before mounting the central reservation and bursting two tyres.

He slowed down dramatically and then stopped, said prosecutor Edmund Fowler.

Mr Fowler said: "He got out, raised his hands and lay prone on the bonnet. He said he had panicked."

Mr Fowler said Swain had a long list of convictions, including dangerous driving and driving while disqualified.

In July, he was jailed for four months and banned for three years. Francis Lloyd, defending, said Swain, who admitted dangerous driving, had a dreadful record and had been in prison many times.

Earlier this month, Banbury magistrates had placed him on supervision for 18 months for a domestic matter.

Mr Lloyd added: "He is anxious to follow the order. He has addressed his problems.

"He has at last the opportunity to confront his demons, knuckle down and address his drink problem.

"Sending him back to prison, while no doubt justifiable, would not be the best way of dealing with these circumstances."

Judge Jeremy Carey said he was not convinced that Swain would reform, but imposed an 18-month community order, and told him to do 200 hours' unpaid work. Swain was also banned from driving for three years.