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A learner driver who crashed into a lamp post after attempting to escape police was jailed for 12 months yesterday.

William Cairns, 29, was also snared with a lockback knife and cocaine in January this year.

The father-of-one raced off after being ordered to stop in Glasgow’s Baillieston area.

Glasgow Sheriff Court heard the area was busy with pedestrians and other motorists on the road.

Officers spotted Cairns driving a Ford Fiesta towards them in the city’s Orchard Street.

Prosecutor Adele MacDonald said: “Cairns began to evade the police car.

“He repeatedly reversed the car at speed and the car mounted the pavement before hitting a lamp post.”

The car was searched and a silver lockback knife was recovered from a rear seat.

A further check found Cairns had no insurance for the vehicle and had an expired provisional license.

A small amount of cocaine was in Cairns’ jacket pocket.

Jim McParland, defending, told the court Cairns had borrowed the car that day.

He added: “Mr Cairns was aware of the knife in the car but it wasn’t his and didn’t have access to it.”

Cairns pleaded guilty yesterday to dangerous driving in an attempt to evade police officers.

He also admitted driving without insurance, driving with an expired license as well as possession of a knife and cocaine.

Cairns was also disqualified from the road for 15 and a half months by Sheriff Paul Crozier.

He said: “Your conduct and your driving was dreadful and you knew you had this item in your possession as well.

“When I look at all of that and your record of previous convictions, it tells me the only way to deal with you is imprisonment.”