A WARRANT has been issued for the arrest of a dangerous driver who failed to show up at court for sentencing today.

Jamie-Lee Owen, 24, of Taunton Road, Bridgwater, led police on a pursuit last summer which he was sentenced for in November.

He was sentenced to 14 months in prison, suspended for two years, and disqualified from driving but was found behind the wheel of a car in Bridgwater in April.

Owen’s sentencing was adjourned last week until today (June 21) so he could be dealt with by Judge David Ticehurst – who originally sentenced him.

Harry Ahuja, defending Owen, said: "I have tried to call Mr Owen this morning but sadly he is not here. 

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"He was on a suspended sentence but during that suspended sentence he was caught driving when he was disqualified."

Judge David Ticehurst said: "Oh, he's not here because he is frightened of me?"

The judge asked prosecution barrister Emma Martin if she would be applying for a warrant for his arrest to which she replied 'yes'. 

Judge Ticehurst said: "There shall be a warrant issued for the arrest of Jamie Lee-Owen."

Owen was pulled over by police in a supermarket car park in April when he admitted the offence and was described as “cooperative” at his last hearing on June 15.

He was originally sentenced for dangerous driving and was given a two-year ban after failing to stop for police before he led them on a chase between Taunton and Chard last summer.

He was also sentenced to carry out 30 days of rehabilitation activities.