A man from Norfolk has been jailed after being caught driving under the influence and fleeing arrest just eight days after he was disqualified.

Matthew Morley, 32, of Blenheim Way in Watton, was banned from driving after fleeing the scene of a crash on the A11 earlier this month. 

At 2am on December 2, Morley failed to stop following the two-vehicle crash in Cringleford but was located by officers around 15 minutes later in Colney Lane, where he had parked, turned off his lights and was attempting to hide in his vehicle.

Cannabis was found inside his vehicle and he was nearly twice the legal drink-driving limit so he was taken to Wymondham Police Station where he was charged.

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He appeared at Norwich Magistrates' Court two days later where he pleaded guilty to six offences which included driving while disqualified, driving without due care and attention, driving without insurance, failing to stop after an accident and possession of a Class B drug.

Sentencing was adjourned until February 9 and he was further disqualified from driving. 

But just before 8.40am on December 10, officers from the joint Norfolk & Suffolk Roads & Armed Policing Team (RAPT) encountered a Vauxhall Astra that appeared to be driving too fast and erratically in Beccles town centre.

While following the vehicle, officers discovered it was uninsured and waited until it parked in New Market to speak to the driver who was walking away. 

Thetford & Brandon Times: Matthew Morley, 32, of Blenheim Way in Thetford, was already banned from driving when he was arrestedMatthew Morley, 32, of Blenheim Way in Thetford, was already banned from driving when he was arrested (Image: Suffolk Police)

The driver, Morley, then began to run and the officers detained him following a foot chase. 

He then failed a roadside drug wipe and was found to be disqualified from driving, as well as cannabis and an open beer can being found in the Astra's footwell.

Morley was arrested and taken to Martlesham Police Station where a sample of blood was taken for analysis.

Appearing at Ipswich Magistrates' Court the following day, he was sentenced to 26 weeks in jail and disqualified from driving for 60 months. He was also ordered to pay £299 in costs and other charges.

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Chief Inspector Vicky McParland, the head of RAPT, said: "There is absolutely no excuse for this behaviour and it beggars belief that he can show such utter disregard for the safety of other road users and the law.

"Matthew Morley is a persistent offender, who was already subject to a driving ban and was awaiting sentence for previous offences.

"He demonstrated complete contempt and disregard for the legal process and left the court no option but to send him to prison.

"I hope the sentencing demonstrates the seriousness of driving under the influence and driving while disqualified."