A dangerous driver involved in a four-and-a-half mile police chase around Ipswich while drunk and disqualified from driving is facing a possible jail term.

Tim Finn, of Kings Way, Ipswich, is currently remanded in custody after admitting five motoring offences during which he went through red lights as he drove from east Ipswich, around the docks and through Chantry.

The 28-year-old had previously been banned for 18 months in August after being caught drink-driving in Star Lane in July.

However, on October 12 Finn was seen leaving King’s Way in a Ford Focus.

Police were unable to stop the vehicle and a pursuit began.

The Focus went past a queue of traffic and through red lights in Felixstowe Road at the junction with Murray Road and Hines Road.

The Focus continued through a further set of red traffic lights at the intersection with Derby Road and Hatfield Road.

Finn then drove in a bus lane as he travelled down Bishop’s Hill and Fore Hamlet slowing then speeding up again.

He went past the traffic island on the wrong side of the road and carried on straight into Fore Street before heading around the one-way system at the docks along Key Street and College Street.

There were several vehicles on both lanes of the road and the Ford Focus was swerving from side to side undertaking some of them.

The pursuit continued into Commercial Road, left on to Princes Street towards the train station where Finn turned right into Ranelagh Road, before turning left at another red light and continued along Ancaster Road and Gippeswyk Road.

It then followed the road into Birkfield Drive and went right into Hawthorn Drive.

Finn travelled the length of Hawthorn Drive, turning into Shepherd Drive. As he approached the roundabout with Scrivener Drive the Focus skidded and hit the kerb coming to a halt.

When police caught up with the vehicle they blocked it in and Finn was arrested just before 8am.

In total the pursuit covered 4.4miles and Finn drove at speeds between 20mph and more than 50mph..

A subsequent breath test showed Finn had 49 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35mcgs.

When Finn appeared before South East Suffolk Magistrates’ Court he pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, drink-driving, failing to stop, driving while disqualified and having no insurance.

Magistrates believed their sentencing powers were insufficient and sent Finn’s case to Ipswich Crown Court where he will be sentenced at a later date.