A driver narrowly avoided hitting schoolchildren with his car while fleeing from police.

Ozgur Suyolcu had been disqualified from driving but reached speeds of more than 115mph, during a pursuit in Tunbridge Wells where he also collided with another car.

Police had attempted to stop the BMW on January 28, 2022, as part of inquiries into suspected drugs supply offences.

Suyolcu, 27, accelerated away and led officers on a chase through residential roads near the town centre.

Two schoolchildren had to run to safety in St James Road and he collided with a Land Rover in Pembury Road.

Officers were assisted by a police helicopter as Suyolcu headed onto the A21 towards Sevenoaks before he changed direction and travelled back on the coastbound carriageway.

The car was tracked to an address he had been living at in Maidstone Road, Paddock Wood and he was arrested.

Police found knuckledusters inside a chest of drawers when searching the property.

Suyolcu was charged with possession an offensive weapon, dangerous driving, driving whilst disqualified and driving without insurance or a licence.

He pleaded guilty and on January 12 was sentenced at Maidstone Crown Court to a year in prison.

He was also banned from driving for five and a half years.

CPT Sergeant Ed Kavanagh said: "Suyolcu drove with complete disregard and contempt for the safety of other road users and his thoughtless and reckless actions could easily have had devastating consequences.

"He used the BMW to drive at staggering speeds in crowded residential areas used by school children making their way home and other drivers had to take quick evasive actions to avoid being struck by his car.

"It is only by luck that no one was seriously injured."