A motorist was spotted tailgating an ambulance as it travelled through three sets of red traffic lights in King's Lynn, a court heard.

A motorist was seen tailgating an ambulance as it travelled through three sets of red traffic lights in King's Lynn, a court heard.

Norwich Crown Court was told how police followed the driver Stephen Hackett - and watched him overtake the ambulance and go through more red lights before overtaking two cars on a dangerous blind bend as he travelled towards the A10.

To finally get him to stop, police deployed a "sting" device which deflated his car's tyres.

Hackett, 32, of Pleasant Court, King's Lynn, admitted dangerous driving on July 8 last year.

Recorder Alistair Wilson described the driving as "absolutely dreadful" and said it could have caused a fatal accident.

"It was a very serious and nasty piece of driving," he added.

The court heard that Hackett suffered from a mental problem known as bipolar, and at the time was suffering a manic episode.

Hackett was given a 10-month jail sentence suspended for 18 months, and a 12-month supervision order under which he must take his medication as directed.

He was also given a three-year driving ban and must take an extended test before he can get behind the wheel again.

Matthew McNiff, mitigating, said that sometimes Hackett engaged in high- risk behaviour for reasons beyond his control and had been to hospital to seek help.

"There is now a wide amount of support for him and it can work," Mr McNiff added.

"If he takes his medication, these episodes are not likely to reoccur."