A DRUG-fuelled driver caught on camera speeding through North Dorset at up to 100mph has been branded "an out and out danger" by a judge.

After watching a police helicopter video showing Peter McCann's 20-mile terror drive in a stolen car, Judge John Beashel said: "This was positively the worst case of dangerous driving I have seen."

McCann, 27, who has never passed a driving test, admitted his fourth dangerous driving offence, driving while disqualified and having no insurance.

Prosecuting, Paul Hester told Bournemouth Crown Court how other motorists had been forced to take "evasive action" while McCann was being filmed.

The stolen silver Honda Civic was spotted at Pimperne at about 4.30pm on May 21 this year.

Mr Hester said the Dorset Police helicopter, scrambled following three distraction burglaries in Gillingham, had monitored the vehicle's movements for about 35 minutes.

McCann was seen speeding around Blandford before travelling cross-country to Sturminster Newton and through Gillingham. A police car recorded the vehicle at speeds of 90-100mph.

The video showed McCann and his 17-year-old passenger, James Purcell, who are both from London, fleeing from the car in Gillingham. Defending both men, Brian Sharman said they had been in town for a wedding.

The wedding didn't go ahead and they took drugs, ending up in the car. McCann thought the police had noticed him.

"Aware that he was disqualified, the driving seen on the video ensued. Drugs caused him to behave like this and he appears to be turning over a new leaf."

Jailing McCann for 23 months and banning him from driving for three years, Judge Beashel told him: "Unless you change your ways one day you will be standing in the dock facing a case of causing death by dangerous driving or even manslaughter. You are an out-and-out danger."

Judge Beashel imposed a four-month detention and training order on Purcell for allowing himself to be carried in a stolen vehicle. Speaking after the case, DC Neil Robbins from Ferndown CID, said: "He left a trail of destruction behind him. It's a miracle no one was killed."