A MAN who sparked an hour-long, high speed police chase through the streets of Ipswich, before his BMW crashed into a concrete bollard is today facing a jail sentence.

A MAN who sparked an hour-long, high speed police chase through the streets of Ipswich, before his BMW crashed into a concrete bollard is today facing a jail sentence.

Dean Byrne, 22, caused mayhem when he hurtled through dozens of roads at speeds reaching 60mph in 30mph zones as police pursued him on the Sunday lunchtime chase.

The chase only ended when he took a wrong turn and found himself cornered at the bottom of Dale Hall Lane, where bollards obstructed his escape.

Byrne, of Bradstock Road, Hackney, fled from the silver BMW with a passenger but was caught soon afterwards. A search of the car was made and a small amount of cannabis was found.

Eyewitness Dave Kindred said he saw the aftermath of the chase while walking home from shopping in Ipswich.

He said: “You could see the tyre marks on the grass near Valley Road. Within minutes there were several police cars which were joined a little later by the helicopter.”

Mr Kindred said he had walked through Christchurch Park on to Henley Road when two men came running towards him followed by the police.

South East Suffolk Magistrates' Court heard how Byrne was already disqualified from driving - and had five previous disqualifications on an unenviable criminal record, which included other traffic and drug matters.

Byrne pleaded guilty to five charges - dangerous driving, driving while disqualified, failing to stop when required by an officer, possession of cannabis and having no insurance.

Stephen Colman, prosecuting, said two officers on patrol in an unmarked police car spotted Byrne initially driving erratically in Star Lane.

He said they followed the vehicle, which changed lanes quickly and cut in front of another vehicle causing it to brake suddenly.

Byrne then sped off, with police in pursuit, taking in a number of streets around the town.

At one point, officers managed to approach the car and attempted unsuccessfully to smash the windscreen with their batons.

Dino Barricella, mitigating, said his client had entered a prompt guilty plea.

Chairman of the bench, Graham Barnett, told Byrne the offences were so serious that the sentence would be greater than could be passed in magistrates' court.

He added: “This happened on St George's Day at midday when there were lots of people around.”

Byrne, who was remanded in custody, will be sentenced at Ipswich Crown Court at a later date.

n. Did you get caught up in the chase? Contact the Evening Star news desk on 01473 324788.