A DISQUALIFIED driver who led police on a high-speed chase around Blackburn that ended with him being bitten by a police dog has been jailed.

Preston Crown Court heard Schani Michael Tierney, 41, had already been given four driving bans before the incident in the early hours of June 3.

CCTV footage played in court showed Tierney losing control of his BMW on numerous occasions, straying onto the wrong side of the road, driving at speeds in excess of 60mph in 30mph zones, failing to stop at stop signs and driving rapidly over speed humps.

Such was the dangerousness of his driving, Recorder Mukhtar Hussain said it was 'lucky nobody had been killed'.

The court heard that when Tierney did eventually surrender he told officers that he hadn’t stopped because they were in an unmarked police car and he thought he was being chased by people connected to prostitution.

Prosecutor Mercedeh Jabbari told the court that Tierney, of Redlam, Blackburn, had initially been noticed by officers driving slowly in King Street, Blackburn, at around 4.15am.

Ms Jabbari said: “Officers saw a white male in the driver’s seat. As they went past he physically sheltered his face from the officers. As a result the officers decided to turn their car around and follow him.”

The court heard that Tierney began to increase his speed as he turned onto Preston Old Road which led to the officers turning on their blue lights and engaging in a full-scale pursuit. That led to Tierney reaching speeds of 65mph in residential areas as he went through Feniscowles and 70mph as he went over the national speed limit-controlled Broken Stone Road. As he went on the A666 Blackburn Road and towards the M65 roundabout officers attempted to guide Tierney onto the motorway but he left the junction back towards Lower Darwen.

The court heard he eventually came to a stop of his own accord in Sandy Lane, Lower Darwen, and left his vehicle. But he failed to secure his handbrake and the car rolled back into the unmarked police car. After leaving his vehicle Tierney was bitten by a police dog.

Ms Jabbari said the 16-mile pursuit lasted around eight minutes.

The prosecutor added: “During the course of his police interview he admitted to driving while disqualified. He stated he had driven off not knowing the car was a police vehicle but thought it had something to do with prostitutes. Bearing in mind he was initially pursued in the King Street area of Blackburn which he indicated was an area known for prostitutes.”

Tierney, who has 35 convictions for 79 offences, pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, driving while disqualified and driving without insurance.

Defending, Neil Howard said his client had gone out for some cigarettes and panicked when he saw the police because he knew he was banned from driving.

Mr Howard said: “It is a decision Mr Tierney describes as being a horrendous error in judgement and extremely foolish."

Jailing Tierney for 14 months,Recorder Hussain, said: “This was a piece of driving which although no damage or injury was caused it could have easily ended in death.

“I take into account that did not happen but that’s more down to luck on your part.”

Tierney was banned from driving for 27 months and told he must take an extended driving test.