Whanganui man in court for refusing to stop for police

Michael James Flood refused to stop for a police vehicle as his license was suspended and he did not want to go back to jail. Photo/ File

Drivers were forced to take evasive action as police chased a suspended driver through town, the Whanganui District Court was told on Tuesday.

Whanganui man Michael James Flood refused to stop driving when police cautioned him to pull over on December 18, 2017.

He drove at dangerously high speeds attempting to make his escape and endangered oncoming traffic in the process.

Flood was sentenced to 120 hours of community work and had his license disqualified for 12 months by Judge Philip Crayton.

"He has a poor history, but fortunately, no-one was harmed," the judge said.

"You are extremely fortunate that you didn't hurt anyone, if you had, you'd be in prison."

Police prosecutor Stephen Butler said that at one stage, Flood was travelling at 75 kph in a 50kph zone and that later escalated to upwards of 125kph.

"The defendant went on the wrong side of the road and the vehicle overtook three cars," he said.

"Then it overtook vehicles on the flush median."

When Flood finally stopped, he exited the vehicle and ran because he did not want to go back to jail.