IPSWICH: Boozed-up motor menace Paul Day is today beginning a 19 month jail term after hitting speeds of 115mph during an 11-mile police chase between Ipswich and Woodbridge.

The 48-year-old drove so fast that police officers were unable to catch up with him until he lost control of his Mazda in Lime Kiln Quay Road in Woodbridge.

During the chase, Day, who was one-and-a-half times the limit for drink driving, sped through a red light, crossed junctions without stopping and forced an oncoming car to swerve out of the way to avoid a collision, Ipswich Crown Court was told.

Jailing Day, who has 18 previous convictions for driving while disqualified, four for drink-driving and three for reckless driving, Judge Rupert Overbury said it was a miracle no-one was hurt as a result of his driving on August 13.

“It was extremely bad driving over 11 miles,” said the judge. “One can only assume that you must have been going in excess of 115mph because police officers driving at that speed couldn’t catch you up.

“It was downright dangerous. You showed complete disregard for everyone else on the road or pavement that night.”

Day, of Rectory Road, Ipswich, admitted dangerous driving, driving with excess alcohol, driving while disqualified, driving without insurance and an offence of assault by beating on a separate occasion.

In addition to the jail sentence he was banned from driving for five years and ordered to take an extended driving test before going back on the road.

Michael Crimp, prosecuting, said police followed Day as he pulled off a forecourt into Nacton Road, Ipswich at around 10pm on August 13 and trailed him as he drove on to the A14 towards Felixstowe.

Day turned on to the A12 at the Seven Hills Interchange without indicating and turned into Newbourne Road at a roundabout. Officers illuminated the flashing lights and siren on their car and at one stage unsuccessfully tried to stop Day by boxing in his car.

Day drove into Woodbridge and overtook a bus on a blind bend, ignoring solid double white lines in the middle of the road. He eventually drove into Lime Kiln Quay Road where he lost control of the car and was detained by police.

Roger Duckworth for Day said that fortunately no-one was injured as a result of his driving on the night in question