A learner driver led police on a 111mph car chase along the A2 with two passengers suspected of carrying out a robbery.

Roofer Connor Conroy eventually lost control of the Ford car as he tried to go around a roundabout the wrong way and smashed into another vehicle.

The 24-year-old father was told he deserved to go straight to prison for his “exceptionally” dangerous driving which had risked the lives of police officers and innocent motorists.

But Conroy, of Silver Birch Avenue, Gravesend left Canterbury Crown Court with his partner because of the “catalogue of gross inefficiencies by the prosecuting authorities”.

Judge Rupert Lowe was told it had taken the CPS from November 2015 until this year before he was charged with an offence.

“That is simply too long and it is not right for offenders to wait that long.

“The authorities must avoid that happening again and that is the only reason I can suspend your sentence.

“Had you been sentenced nearer the time there would have been no question of it being suspended.”

The court was shown CCTV footage from the pursuing police car as it chased the Ford along the A2 towards Sidcup for five miles.

As the officer tried to box in the Ford with its three occupants, Conroy, who does not have a licence, went onto the central reservation colliding with the police car before weaving between vehicles in an effort to escape.

The Ford then attempted a blind right hand turn onto a roundabout before it hit another vehicle.

After the crash the three people in the Ford fled in different directions and Conroy was found hiding nearby.

Prosecutor Alec Williams said the CPS file contained no details of the innocent victim’s injuries or the impact caused by the incident.

The judge said: “I would be astonished if the occupants of the other car were not injured, or received injuries including whiplash, bruises and mental trauma.”

He then suspended a 14-month jail term for two years and ordered Conroy to do 250 hours of unpaid work for the community and pay £2,500 in costs within a year.

Conroy, who admitted driving dangerously, was also banned from the road for two years and ordered to take an extended test before he can be given a driver’s licence.

“You obviously knew you were being followed by police. You had no thoughts for the safety of other road users" - Judge Rupert Lowe

The judge told him: “This was a most exceptionally dangerous piece of driving which could have ended up with the killing innocent members of the public.

“You obviously knew you were being followed by police. You had no thoughts for the safety of other road users.”

The CPS was asked for a comment but has so far not responded.

CCTV footage was also requested from Kent Police but was unavailable.