A 33-year-old man who led police on a high speed pursuit in the Caernarfon area until his car was boxed in a farmyard was given his “very last chance,” by a judge.

Benjamin Thorman, of Lower Penrallt Road, Bangor, received a 14 months suspended jail term after he admitted dangerous driving and criminal damage to a farm gate at Bethel which he’d rammed last October.

Prosecutor Nicola Williams told Caernarfon crown court that Thorman was seen on the A487 and reached nearly 90mph. He took blind bends “all over the road,” according to a PC.

Footage of the pursuit was played in court.

Recorder Wyn Lloyd Jones told Thorman :”You have got a very, very bad record for violence and motoring offences.” But he had mental health issues.

A suspended sentence was imposed with drug rehabilitation and six months trail monitoring. He was banned for five years with an extended test.

The judge told the defendant :”This is your very last chance.”

Recorder Lloyd Jones said Thorman had been freed from jail in September. Early on October 24 he drove a VW Polo dangerously in the Caernarfon area.

“It’s fortunate no more damage was caused or injury or even death,” the judge remarked.

He must pay £193 compensation for the damage.

Elen Owen, defending, said Thorman had been placed in an old hotel with 13 former prison inmates who had all sorts of problems. “It’s hardly surprising, perhaps, given his difficulties, he relapsed to drug taking and alcohol misuse.”

She added that he had now taken advantage of the substance misuse service and rehabilitative accommodation and was taking steps to turn around his life. Thorman had a key worker.