POLICE dashcam footage shows a terrifying high-speed pursuit in Carlisle that could have ended in tragedy.

The video, below, taken just before 10am on Saturday, February 17, has been released following the sentencing of Albanian drugs courier Francesko Ago at Carlisle Crown Court.

On the day in question, officers on the M6 northbound activated blue lights and their siren after spotting an Audi A4, driven by Ago, close to the city.

Ago, 24, sped on and left the motorway at Junction 42, travelling at 70mph within a 50mph zone approaching London Road.

“He accelerated into the city limits at 90mph where it is restricted to 30mph,” prosecutor Brendan Burke told the court. “He was overtaking vehicles, including one on a blind summit, which he took at 70mph.

“Pedestrians were around. Overtaking manoeuvres forced other road users to take avoiding action. He entered Mallyclose Drive at such speed that he lost control and crashed into a road sign and a garden wall.

“He then made off on foot, and was chased and caught on London Road. As he had crashed, a male and female — dog walkers — had to jump out of the way and a woman with a pram was seen by pursuing officers to be metres away from the collision site.

“The pursuit lasted three minutes in total. When the car was searched, 10.5kg of cannabis, worth about £105,000 in total, was discovered.”

Ago, of Bridport Terrace, Lambeth, London, admitted four offences: dangerous driving, possessing cannabis with intent to supply, no insurance and driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence.

Sentencing Ago to a 14-month prison sentence, Recorder Julian Shaw said: "That you didn’t kill anyone is a mercy and, to an extent, almost a miracle.”