A DANGEROUS driver was chased by police from the M74 in Hamilton through to several Glasgow streets after he failed to stop when they caught him speeding.

Christopher McAloon, 20, was in the dock for sentencing at Glasgow Sheriff Court after committing several driving offences on January 16, this year.

The court heard that the chase only came to an end after he abandoned the car and bolted into Bellahouston Park to escape police officers.

The Procurator Fiscal depute told the court that police officers recorded McAloon exceeding the speed limit on the M74 by travelling at 73mph. They went after the car, which was a Vauxhall Corsa, and activated their blue light.

But McAloon left the motorway via the junction one slip road.

He then drove through a red light at the T junction and the pursuit by police continued.

He admitted that between Hamilton and Glasgow, he drove dangerously and at excessive speeds.

He also pleaded guilty to failing to stop at red lights and travelling in the opposing carriageway.

The offence happened as the vehicle travelled on Carnoustie Street, Paisley Road West, the carpark at the Springfield Quay and Dumbreck Road. The court also heard that the car was travelling at around 50mph on roads which have a limit of 30mph.

McAloon had two other passengers in his car, and was arrested by police despite abandoning the vehicle and making off into Bellahouston Park. In addition, he accepted that he failed to stop when asked to do so by a uniformed police officer.

McAloon, of Berryhill Crescent, Wishaw, also pleaded guilty to additional charges of driving the car while being a person disqualified from holding or obtaining a driving licence. He also pleaded guilty to driving without insurance.

McAloon’s defence agent told the court that her client had spent a period in remand following this offence which had given time to think about the situation. The court heard that the period in remand also meant that he missed a family funeral.

Sentencing sheriff Cameron said: “From what I have heard from the crown, you could have killed someone that night.”

McAloon was banned from driving for two years and told that he must resit the extended test if he wishes to drive again. In addition, he was a handed a restriction of liberty order as an alternative to custody.

He will wear a tag for five months which was reduced from nine months because of his early plea and the time he spent on remand.