POLICE who pursued a driver at up to 70mph were amazed to find an in-car TV playing when they stopped him, a court heard.

But Pickering Magistrates spared Wayne Dukes, 26, a driving ban after hearing he was an essential car user.

Dukes, of Howe Road, Norton, admitted driving without due care and attention and driving while being able to see a television in the vehicle.

Michael Sandiford, prosecuting, said the second charge was so obscure that he had never seen it before.

The court heard police pursued Dukes' silver Subaru after he was seen overshooting a corner in Malton.

Mr Sandiford said police drove at up to 70mph, but did not gain ground and saw Dukes overtake two vehicles and drive the wrong side of a mini-roundabout.

Speed limits on the road varied between 30mph and 40mph.

The driver suddenly became aware of the pursuit and abruptly stopped, said Mr Sandiford.

Police then saw Channel 4 playing on a television screen inside the car.

Dukes admitted bad driving to police, but said the television was switched on by friends as he stopped, and he was not watching it.

Lisa Turner, mitigating, said Dukes disputed the police's account of his speed and driving at the roundabout.

"He also very much regrets his behaviour - it was very foolish driving," she said.

Mrs Turner added that Dukes would lose his highly-specialised job as a timber harvester were he banned."It would have a devastating financial effect on him and his father for whom he works," she said.

Magistrates fined Dukes £250 for driving without due care and attention and a further £100 for the second offence.

He was also ordered to pay costs of £35 and had his licence endorsed with eight penalty points.

Updated: 13:03 Saturday, November 17, 2001