A CHARD dangerous driver who was on the run from police for 12 days after failing to appear in court has been arrested.

Kyle Unsworth, 27, was arrested in Chard at around 3.30pm yesterday.

He failed to appear at his trial at Taunton Crown Court on June 30.

The trial went ahead and Unsworth was found guilty in his absence and sentenced to 23 months in prison for dangerous driving, driving while disqualified, and possession of drugs.

The court heard that Unsworth led police on a dangerous high speed chase through the town, reaching speeds of up to 60mph in a 20mph zone.

A couple who were walking their dog jumped into a hedge to avoid being hit by Unsworth when he was driving, the jury heard.

The Renault Clio Unsworth had been driving was found half an hour after the chase, abandoned at Paintmoor Lane, with a red hoodie in a nearby bush.

He was given 17 months in prison on the count of dangerous driving and was disqualified from driving for three years and 50 weeks.