A DRINK driver who drove at speeds of 105mph on the A69 has been handed a suspended jail sentence.

Corey McLauchlan was sentenced to six months in prison, suspended for 18 months, at Newcastle Magistrates' Court on Monday (August 8).

The 25-year-old admitted drink driving, driving dangerously, and failing to stop on being required to do so by a constable in uniform last month.

The offences took place in the early hours of June 27 this year.

The court heard McLauchlan, of Masters Crescent, Prudhoe, was driving his Ford Fiesta in the Corbridge area at speeds of 70mph in 30mph zones.

A police officer activated their car's blue lights indicating for McLauchlan to stop at a lay-by, which he failed to do.

The police officer followed McLauchlan, who drove up to 105mph, for around 10 miles on the A69 before he then went into Throckley. He again drove at speeds of 70mph in a 30mph zone.

He went onto a dirt track, and crashed into a pole, the court heard.

McLauchlan drove with 49mcgs of alcohol in 100 ml of breath - the legal limit is 35mcgs.

The court heard McLauchlan had two previous convictions for two offences, dating back to 2013 and 2015.

Gregg Stephens, mitigating, said McLauchlan had recently begun a new job.

"If he gets an immediate sentence, he loses that job," said Mr Stephens.

He added McLauchlan has suffered mental health problems.

He said: "He made some poor decisions on the night but he seems to be someone capable of rehabilitation."

District Judge Paul Currer told McLauchlan he drove over 10 miles in an 'extremely dangerous fashion' and said had people been at the dirt track that night, they would have had 'no chance'.

He said he was not immediately sending McLauchlan to prison because he pleaded guilty at the first opportunity and because of his 'very little offending history', new job and mental health problems.

McLauchlan must complete 20 rehabilitation activity requirement days and 100 hours of unpaid work, and was ordered to pay £85 costs and a £154 surcharge.

He was also disqualified from driving for 18 months.