A BANNED driver accused of leading police on a high speed pursuit near Ilminster where he ultimately had to be halted with the use of a Stinger device has been ordered to stand trial at Taunton Crown Court on a charge of dangerous driving.

Ricky Winter was alleged to have ignored the police blue lights and sirens and did overtaking manoeuvres on blind bends at more than twice the speed limit.

He was also said to have travelled the wrong way around roundabouts with other people having to take avoiding action and he still carried on, driving through a red traffic light even when the police Stinger device was deployed

Winter, 20, of Bradfield Way, Chard, appeared in the dock before Somerset Magistrates at Yeovil.

He was charged with driving a VW Golf dangerously on the A30at Ilminster on September 3. He was also alleged to have driven the vehicle while disqualified and without insurance.

The defendant was also alleged to have been in possession of 2.25g of cannabis and cannabis resin (class B) but did not enter pleas to any of the allegations.

Prosecutor Emma Lenanton said that Winter was said to have been driving at 70mph in a 30mph zone and at speeds of 80mph in a 60mph zone.

The magistrates said the case was so serious that they did not feel they had adequate powers to deal with it.

They ordered the defendant to be sent to the crown court to stand trial and adjourned all four offences until January 21 when he must appear before a pre trial hearing at Taunton.

In the meantime he was released on unconditional bail.