A ROGUE driver kept on trying to escape the police even after he was shot in the chest with a Taser by an officer.

Michael Rice had also sped through the Bettws area of Newport despite the back wheels of his Audi A3 car being shredded by a stinger device.

His vehicle was later found abandoned and the 35-year-old disqualified driver defendant soon arrested.

Rice, of Elan Close, Bettws, Newport, pleaded guilty to dangerous driving on September 18.

Rice also admitted separate offences driving whilst disqualified and driving without insurance on the city’s Bryn Bevan on May 21.

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Judge Huw Rees told him he had an “appalling record” for driving offences.

Nik Strobl, prosecuting, told Cardiff Crown Court how Rice had multiple driving convictions which also included drink driving.

Rice’s offending in May and September put him in breach of a prison sentence of 17 weeks, suspended for 18 months, for driving whilst disqualified.

Stuart John, representing the defendant, asked the court to take into account his client’s early guilty pleas and to give him the appropriate credit for them.

His lawyer said Rice had described himself as an “idiot”.

Mr John added how the defendant had been employed as a scaffolder but wasn’t able to carry on his work after he injured his ankle.

Judge Huw Rees told Rice: “A stinger device was deployed which punctured your rear tyres.

“You drove at speeds of up to 47mph in a 30mph zone in a residential area and you failed to stop even after you were Tasered.

“Your car was later found abandoned. You had the good sense to plead at the first opportunity.”

The judge called the defendant’s actions “sheer stupidity”.

Rice was jailed for a total of 14 months and banned from driving for two years and seven months.

He was ordered to pass an extended driving test and pay a victim surcharge within six months of his release from jail.