A MAN who was involved in a high-speed police pursuit on the M27 with a one-year-old child in his car has been jailed for two and a half years.

Not only did Mark Hilden reach speeds up to 95mph as he attempted to evade the authorities, he was also driving while disqualified and over the drug drive limit.

Southampton Crown Court heard that the 24-year-old was in a white Citroen Berlingo van and was seen driving along the M27, Westbound, towards Junction 3.

Police officers attempted to stop the vehicle as they suspected the driver to be disqualified.

The van failed to stop and sped up to 95 mph. The pursuit lasted for several minutes for a distance of approximately five miles, police said.

As the van attempted to leave the motorway via the slip-road at Junction 2, it was in collision with a police vehicle, causing the van to lose control and strike a third vehicle, a Peugeot 207. Significant damage was caused to all three vehicles.

One of the police officers sustained a slight injury to his back and the member of the public in the Peugeot sustained an injury to his neck. No-one was seriously injured.

Inside the van, officers found Hilden, a woman and a one year old baby girl.

There was no car seat inside the van so the baby was being carried without restraint.

All three were taken to hospital. Hilden sustained a cut to his hand but neither his girlfriend nor the baby sustained any injury.

Hilden was drug tested at hospital and he was found to have taken cannabis.

Hilden has nine previous convictions for disqualified driving.

Hilden, of Scallows Lane, West Wellow, pleaded guilty to child neglect, driving over the prescribed limit of drugs, failing to stop for police, dangerous driving, driving whilst disqualified and without insurance.