A BLACKWOOD man who has been described as a ‘menace to the roads’ was sentenced to 20 months in prison yesterday for a string of driving offences.

Martin Davies, 36, of Hill View, Pontllanfraith, Blackwood, appeared at Cardiff Crown Court after pleading guilty to several driving offences while under disqualification.

These included driving without insurance, driving without due care or attention and perverting the course of justice.

The court heard how Davies had an Audi car parked outside his home address which contained false registration plates earlier this year.

Tim Nailer, prosecuting, explained how police received reports of this car in the Longbarn area.

Not knowing the driver was Davies at the time, police gave chase and in an attempt to evade the officer, the driver reversed into a post and grass verge, causing £80 of damage.

After speeding to the Argoed area where police deployed a stinger, the chase continued on foot but Davies evaded capture.

After the incident, the defendant made a false call to the police reporting the car as stolen and asking not to be identified.

Following this, Davies was remanded into custody and charged with several offences. He pleaded guilty to the offences this week.

Hashim Salman, defending, said:“He has through his life possessed poor cognitive skills and a lack of impulse control and weak problem solving skills”.

In mitigation, Mr Salman asked the court to consider the father-of-three’s family.

Recorder David Miller noted that Davies had 23 convictions for 74 offences — with 13 previous convictions between 1997 and 2014 relating to driving offences while disqualified.

“On June 3 (2015) you drove while disqualified and continued after trial and that was offence number 14," he said.

“When on bail for that offence you continued to drive while disqualified [...] you’re a menace to the roads. You dishonoured the trust of community orders and offended on bail in the past.”

“I do reduce the sentence to reflect totality and the fact that others will no doubt suffer [...] I’m sorry that you have been sent to prison but you leave me no choice,” he added.

Davies was sentenced to a total of 20 months imprisonment and a three year driving ban which will take affect halfway through his sentence.

A curfew was also imposed along with a £120 victim surcharge, which will be paid three months after his release from custody.