A drug driver seen doing more than 100 mph on the motorway with a young child in the back has been told is driving is some of the worst a judge has ever come across.

Blackburn Magistrates' Court heard police didn’t consider it safe to try and stop Jake Tempest, who also had a female passenger in his car, until he exited the M65.

When they did instead of stopping he sped off before eventually coming to a halt.

Tempest, 23, of Noggarth Road, Roughlee, admitted to a drug-driving charge, when he drove his Honda Civic on November 5.

He was given a six-week suspended prison term with a six months drug rehabilitation requirement, 12 months mental health treatment requirement, and a 15-day rehab activity requirement.

He was ordered to pay a £154 victim surcharge and £85 costs, and banned from driving for 24 months.

District Judge Alexandra Preston told Tempest it was one of the worst cases of drug driving she had ever dealt with.

“You were on drugs, on a motorway doing in excess of 100 mph,” she said.

“Your driving was erratic and your behaviour, when you were stopped, was aggressive.

“You had two passengers, one of them a young child. You showed complete disregard for the safety of your passengers and members of the public who were put at risk by your driving.”

District Judge Preston said the pre-sentence report referred to Tempest using cannabis to self medicate.

She told him: “In my view that is something that needs to be addressed urgently.

"This offence warrants a prison sentence but I am just persuaded to suspend it because I believe there is a chance of rehabilitation.”

Nicola Mills, prosecuting, said police attention was drawn to the car driven by Tempest because it was travelling at more than 100mph.

The officer followed until Tempest left the M65 at junction eight for Huncoat.

“When he thought it was safe he activated his lights and sirens to get the defendant to stop,” said Miss Mills.

“Instead the car sped up before, without warning, mounting the pavement and coming to a stop.”

When the officer approached he could immediately smell cannabis.

When he went to arrest Tempest he became aggressive and then ran off but was eventually arrested.

Graeme Parkinson, mitigating, said he hoped to persuade the judge to suspend any prison sentence.

“He has no previous convictions, he has pleaded guilty at the first opportunity and he now has a job,” said Mr Parkinson.

“The Probation Service believe they can work with him and there are options that are available to make a positive impact on this young man.”