A CREWKERNE man who led police on a 10-minute chase through Chard after pulling over to abuse them has been jailed for one year.

Carlos Fernandes, 47, of Tower Hill Road, was given a prison sentence at Taunton Crown Court after Judge Patrick Clarkson said it was only by “the grace of God” that there was not a serious crash as a result of his actions, with pedestrians forced to jump out of the way during the chase.

The court heard that in the early hours of the morning on January 23, police officers on patrol saw Fernandes driving erratically and crossing the central reservation lines on the A30 towards Chard.

Police then started following Fernandes shortly after 2.24am to pull him over, and he was speeding and driving erratically. The court heard that he also ran a red light.

The court heard that once he entered Chard, Fernandes pulled over into a side street.

As an officer approached the vehicle, Fernandes wound down the window and made an obscene gesture at the police officer, before speeding off and the chase continuing.

Prosecuting Simon Cooper said: “Fernandes accelerated quickly when the police approached and the tires screeched as the car moved away, before he took a roundabout in the wrong direction.

“He then ran a red light on Fore Street and a pedestrian had to jump out of the way when crossing the road.”

Fernandes then drove into a cul-de-sac where he was handcuffed and arrested 10 minutes later at 2.35am, with the police saying he smelt of alcohol, the court heard.

At the police station he refused to take a breathalyser test.

Handing down the sentence, Judge Patrick Clarkson said: “The police saw you driving towards them in a Peugeot 206 along the A30 toward Chard, driving too fast and crossing the central white line.

“You were driving around 80mph in a 60, and as you entered the outskirts of Chard you again crossed the white line forcing another driver to take aversive action.”

“Your main reason for remorse seems to be the effect your actions have had upon yourself, not on others.

“I consider the gesture you made to be contemptuous, thankfully there was not an accident but that is only by the grace of God.”

Fernandes was sentenced to 12 months immediate imprisonment for dangerous driving, serving six months in custody with the rest on licence, and was also disqualified from driving for two years after which he will have to take an extended re-test.