A man who led police on a high speed chase which had to be called off because it was too dangerous has been jailed.

Mark Taplin, 43, was spotted by police close to the address of his former partner in the Aylsham Road area of Norwich, despite being the subject of a restraining order following a previous conviction for harassment.

A marked police car attended and Taplin sped off, leading police on a chase through parts of the city, including Aylsham Road, Havers Road, Mile Cross Road and Sweet Briar Road, going through at least one red light.

Will Carter, prosecuting, said Taplin reached speeds of up to 95mph during the chase which took place at about 9.15pm on June 23 but which had to be called off by police as it was too dangerous to continue.

The court heard Taplin was arrested on June 27 in respect of the police pursuit and another offence of stalking which related to him accessing his former partner's Facebook account at least 11 times.

Taplin, of Tinkers Close, Aldborough, appeared at Norwich Crown Court yesterday to be sentenced, having previously admitted one count of stalking and another of dangerous driving.

Judge Stephen Holt sentenced Taplin to a total of 10 months in prison, disqualified him from driving for 14 months and ordered him to take an extended retest before he can drive again.

He was also made the subject of a further restraining order preventing him from contacting, directly or indirectly, his former partner until further order.

Andrew Shaw, mitigating, said Taplin had since shown a 'responsible' attitude in trying to arrange contact with the son he has with his former partner through the courts rather than through her.