A motorist drove at speeds of up to 70mph, jumped red traffic lights and drove on the wrong side of the road during a two-mile police chase which ended on an Ipswich housing estate, a court has heard.

The incident took place just hours after Jim Lee had been released from custody for other matters.

Police started following Lee after seeing him driving at speed and jumping a red light in the Hadleigh Road area and activated the siren and lights on their car after he drove at 70mph along Ranelagh Road, Ipswich Crown Court was told.

Lee drove the wrong side of two ‘keep left’ bollards near Ipswich railway station.

If there had been a car coming in the opposite direction there would have been a collision, said Michael Crimp, prosecuting.

Lee turned right into Ancaster Road and drove along Birkfield Drive, overtaking cars and causing oncoming traffic to brake to avoid colliding with him.

Lee passed a junction at 60-70mph and again drove the wrong side of two bollards.

During the chase, the tyres on Lee’s Peugeot were heard screeching and at one stage he appeared almost to lose control of the vehicle.

In the area of Sheldrake Drive the passenger door of the car opened and someone jumped out. Lee’s car came to a halt shortly afterwards in Orwell Heights. He tried to run off but was eventually detained and handcuffed.

The chase, which covered 2.6 miles, took place at 8.50pm on January 29, within three hours of Lee being released from custody.

Lee, 33, of West Meadows, Ipswich, admitted dangerous driving and sentence was adjourned for a drug rehabilitation order assessment.

Richard Conley for Lee, said no-one had been injured and no damage had been caused.

He said Lee had been using drugs for most of his adult life and would not have behaved in the way he did if he had not been a drug addict.

Mr Conley said that, on the night in question, Lee had been in the car with a woman who was a drug user.