A FUGITIVE at the wheel of a green Reliant Robin held six police cars and two helicopters at bay in a high-speed chase all the way from Salisbury to Blandford.

James MacGregor (28) crashed red lights, overtook on blind bends and took roundabouts on two wheels - all with the police in hot pursuit.

Salisbury Magistrates heard that he reached speeds of 80mph in the rickety three-wheeler while attempting to evade capture after stealing a charity box containing £39.57 from the Little Chef at Firsdown.

Despite his unusual choice of getaway vehicle, MacGregor managed to stay ahead of the pursuing police for 24 minutes in the lightweight car.

He cut a swathe through other traffic, cutting up vans and HGVs and sailing past cars three times as powerful as his.

He brought a Renault Estate to a standstill by taking the tiny Odstock roundabout anti-clockwise at high speed.

After speeding through Coombe Bissett, he evaded his pursuers on the Martin Down dual carriageway by straddling the centre of the road so that no-one could overtake him.

When the police finally caught up with him in Blandford, he leapt from the Robin and tried to make a run for it.

The quiet, well-spoken defendant pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, failing to stop for the police and stealing a charity collection box and a flag tray.