GREAT Sutton man Stephen Joseph Barlow hurtled along the Chester Southerly By-pass at 120mph in a bid to shake off the police.

The terrifying, high-speed police chase was captured on film from the pursuing unmarked BMW police car.

But Barlow suddenly veered sharply from the outside lane of the dual-carriageway and took off down the sliproad towards Sainsbury's roundabout at 110mph.

He overtook other vehicles on the inside but as he braked sharply for the roundabout ahead his powerful Subaru Impreza started to fish-tail out of control.

The car screeched into the roundabout then hit a Honda car being driven by a young mother and her new 14-week-old baby boy who was strapped into the child's seat on the nearside - the side that took the impact.

Fortunately, the child was not hurt although the mother ended up with bruising and severe pain, prosecuting barrister Sion ap Mihangel told Mold Crown Court.

Despite the crash Barlow made off down the A41 towards Chester city centre.

But he had to give up because the damaged car would go no further - and he was boxed in by two police cars.

Films taken from the police car that chased Barlow and from a police car travelling around the roundabout capturing the dramatic moments of the crash were shown in court today.

Judge Merfyn Hughes QC jailed Barlow for 12 months, banned him from driving for two years, and ordered him to take an extended test before he takes to the wheel again.

Barlow, 22, of Cholomondley Road, admitted dangerous driving and stealing petrol from the Tesco store at Broughton Retail Park a short time earlier.

The judge told Barlow it was a 'most appalling' piece of driving.

The police car followed the defendant's car at more than 110mph until he was forced to slow down because of heavy traffic, the judge said.

But as soon as he was able to overtake a lorry ahead and the police put their blue flashing lights on he reached speeds of between 110 and 120mph.

'You then braked and sharply veered down the slip road towards the roundabout, over-taking on the inside lane other traffic.

'At 100 yards before the roundabout you were still doing 90 mph. You collided with another vehicle that was being driven perfectly properly on the roundabout containing a mother and her young baby.

'Fortunately, there were no serious physical injuries but she was shaken and her main concern was for her young baby.'

The judge said the theft of £37 worth of petrol was clearly premeditated because the defendant had placed false number plates on his car.

Defending barrister Mr Gus Iro said his client had panicked and the manner of his driving showed his immaturity.