A father-of-two took police on a car chase at speeds up to 90 mph - with his young children in the back of his vehicle.

Charlie Daniels was originally stopped by police on the A20 at Bearsted for driving a vehicle at 44mph in a 30mph zone.

But prosecutor Victoria Lovett revealed how as a police officer approached the vehicle, Daniels sped off - topping 44 mph in a 30 mph zone.

She told Maidstone Crown Court how Daniels then hit 90mph in a 40mph along the A20 overtaking two vehicles near a pedestrian crossing but remaining in the centre of the road.

“Other vehicles had to swerve out of the way as Daniels headed towards Maidstone town centre along residential roads, driving over speed bumps and at one point the officers could see sparks coming from the vehicle as it braked heavily,” she added.

The vehicle then swerved and “fishtailed” as he struggled to regain control and he finally stopped after ending the 10 minute chase, which included him driving on the wrong side of the road.

He was eventually stopped and breathalysed where he was found to be over the drink-drive limit with a reading of 41 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath (the limit is 35).

John Connor, defending, said Daniels had a drink earlier in the day and decided to drive his sister’s vehicle. He said after driving away, he came to his senses and immediately regretted his decision that day in August last year.

Window fitter Daniels, 31, of Tonbridge Road, Maidstone, admitted dangerous driving, driving with excess alcohol and without insurance.

He was given a nine month jail sentence suspended for two years and banned from driving for two years.

Daniels will carry out 250 hours of unpaid work for the community and pay £340 court costs.

The Judge, Recorder Alice Sims told him: “You made a very bad but snap decision to drive away at speed.

“This was a prolonged period of extremely dangerous driving.

“When you were stopped, very worryingly you had your sister in the car with you and your children aged 10 and eight years.

“No-one was injured but that was due more to luck and the evasive actions of other motorists.”

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