A BMW driver from Swindon has been banned from the roads after smashing into a lamp post while fleeing police at 70mph.

Andre Mohidin, of Seacole Crescent in Old Town, was spotted by police overtaking other vehicles and accelerating near a busy zebra crossing in Commercial Road on December 5, 2022.

The 27-year-old, who was driving a blue BMW, led police on a short chase, during which he reached speeds of over 70mph in Bath Road and overtook several vehicles in a residential area.

But the dramatic pursuit quickly came to an end when Mohidin crashed his car into a lamp post on Portland Avenue.

Swindon Advertiser: The damaged car was later abandoned in Seacole Crescent.The damaged car was later abandoned in Seacole Crescent. (Image: Matt Parmenter)

The collision saw the lamp post fall across the road and cause minor damage to a nearby house.

After the crash, police seized the damaged car before it turned up in Seacole Crescent, causing anger among residents who say it blocked a footpath for several weeks.

Mohidin has now been banned from driving for two years after pleading guilty to dangerous driving and driving without insurance.

He was also hit with an eight-month prison sentence which will be suspended for 15 months.

As well as the disqualification, Mohidin has been ordered to complete 100 hours of unpaid work and pay £150 in costs.