A MOTORCYCLIST has been jailed for what a policeman described as one of the worst pieces of driving he had ever seen.Levi Hilden drove at speeds of 70 to 80mph on a busy town centre road and a residential estate while being chased by a police motorcyclist before hitting a car, Ipswich Crown Court heard.

A MOTORCYCLIST has been jailed for what a policeman described as one of the worst pieces of driving he had ever seen.

Levi Hilden drove at speeds of 70 to 80mph on a busy town centre road and a residential estate while being chased by a police motorcyclist before hitting a car, Ipswich Crown Court heard.

Jailing him for six months and banning him from driving for two years, Recorder John Brooke-Smith said yesterday it was an “absolute miracle” that no one apart from the defendant was injured.

“This was an appalling piece of driving and the police officer in the case has described it as one of the worst cases of driving he had witnessed,” said the judge.

In addition to jailing Hilden and banning him from driving, Mr Brooke-Smith ordered him to take an extended driving test at the end of the ban.

Robert Sadd, prosecuting, told the court that Hilden was seen riding his motorcycle along Wherstead Road, Ipswich, by a police motorcyclist who indicated for him to stop.

Hilden made as if to get off his bike but then drove off along Wherstead Road followed by the officer.

He reached speeds of up to 70mph along Wherstead Road, overtaking vehicles and forcing oncoming cars to pull over to the side of the road to avoid a collision.

At one stage during the rush-hour chase he drove along a footpath into Halifax Road and then drove at speeds of 70 to 80mph before turning into Stoke Park Drive.

He then drove along Belstead Road and finally came to a halt when he collided with an MGB car and fell off his motorbike.

Hilden, of Cardiff Avenue, Ipswich, admitted dangerous driving, driving without insurance and a driving licence offence.

He suffered a broken elbow and damaged to his teeth in the collision and spent two days in hospital.

The MGB, which had been restored by its owner, was badly damaged in the collision but the driver escaped unhurt.

Kevin Clarke, for Hilden, said his client had made “a rash and impulsive decision” to drive away from the policeman.

He said Hilden had failed to consider the consequences of what he was doing. He had made full admissions to the police and after the accident had been concerned for the welfare of the MGB driver.