A DANGEROUS BMW driver who hit speeds of up to 70mph during an early morning police chase through Inverclyde was only stopped when he got caught up in roadworks.

Daniel Owens - who has previously been disqualified - raced away from officers during a dramatic three-mile pursuit through residential streets in Greenock and Port Glasgow. 

But he was thwarted by roadworks, which slowed him down before he was forced to dump his vehicle in a cul-de-sac where he bolted on foot.

The 33-year-old was spotted straddling both lanes on Highholm Avenue in the Port shortly before 6am on February 9 and police attention was drawn to the car due to its high speed and manner of driving.

Greenock Sheriff Court heard this week that officers followed Owens and attempted to catch up as he turned onto Brown Street then William Street before they activated their lights and sirens.

Prosecutor Joanne Gilmour said the vehicle drove through a give way junction at Glen Avenue and accelerated onto Lilybank Road, reaching a speed of approximately 50mph in a 30mph zone, which increased to around 70mph.

The fiscal depute told Monday's hearing: "It was also noted that there were freezing conditions and officers noted the vehicle travelling over both sides of the road.

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"Officers informed the control room that it was now an active vehicle pursuit."

Owens made his way onto Shankland Road through the junction with Thomas Muir Street and then ignored further signage as he passed through another give way crossing, with officers 'unable to close the gap', according to Ms Gilmour.

The BMW eventually reached Gibshill Road before being forced to 'reduce its speed drastically' after turning westbound into single lane roadworks on East Hamilton Street.

Having turned onto Douglas Rae Road, the car was found parked in a dead end at Jackson Place with its lights on and door open, while a man was seen running when police arrived.

He was chased into a flat and later arrested after other officers attended and knocked the door of the property.

Defence solicitor Ellen Macdonald said Owens - who has previous convictions for driving offences and has served a ban before - was 'well aware' that he would be disqualified and will require to sit an extended test to regain his licence.

The lawyer added: "He accepts this was a dismal piece of driving."

Owens pleaded guilty to the dangerous driving charge and had not guilty pleas accepted to four other alleged offences, including driving without insurance and failing to stop for police.

Imposing a £470 fine and a 21-month disqualification period, Sheriff James Varney told Owens: "This was a dreadful way of driving between Port Glasgow and Greenock and in the circumstances there can be no alternative to a disqualification."