A learner driver who led police on a chase across Medway in the early hours of New Year’s Day has been jailed for a year.

Rahiah Powell-Grant hit 100mph in the Medway Tunnel in an attempt to escape arrest.

Officers had spotted his Audi in the Mill Road, Gillingham, shortly after 1am and signalled to him to stop.

The 21-year-old father-to-be, of Witham Way, Strood, sped off and was pursued for some distance as he jumped red lights before being stopped in Pond Hill, Cliffe.

Powell-Grant admitted dangerous driving and having no licence or insurance when he appeared at Medway Magistrates’ Court in January 2.

The case was committed to Maidstone Crown Court where a judge also banned him for 22 months.

Recorder Mark Van Der Zwart said Powell-Grant put in danger revellers who were out celebrating the New Year.

“You could have ploughed into any of them,” he said. “You drove directly at a police car which had to swerve to avoid a collision.

“Thankfully, and I am sure just by luck, nobody was hurt.”

Recorder Van Der Zwart said it would have shown remorse on Powell-Grant’s part if he had owned up to what he had done when interviewed, instead of remaining silent.

He said of the offence: “It lasted half an hour or so and was an appalling piece of driving. You panicked because you were subject to licence at the time.”

The maximum sentence for dangerous driving is two years imprisonment.