The moment before banned and speeding motorist Chris Houson is about to knock somebody off their bicycle. Image: Met Police

The City of London Police have released CCTV footage of a banned driver speeding dangerously through the streets of London to avoid police capture.

41 year old Chris Houson from Drayton Road, Norwich was jailed for two years at the Old Bailey on Friday 8th May.

The court heard he caused havoc for 45 minutes from the moment he careered off in his silver Peugeot car from City of London police officers.

He knocked a man off his bike and an elderly woman had to jump into a hedge to avoid being hit.

On the morning of 24th September last year, the City of London police attempted to stop Houson after automatic number plate reader was activated with a report stating he was wanted for a recall to prison for rape.

In Farringdon Road Houson drove off when he noticed the blue lights on the pursuing police vehicle.

He drove onto the wrong side of the road turning right into Clerkenwell Road at speed and going through several red lights.

Footage from a Met Police helicopter and police vehicles shows how he mounted pavements, drove down one way streets the wrong way, went through red lights and clipped several cars.

The pursuit eventually came to an end in Russell Road, East Finchley when Houson pulled into a nearside kerb and stopped.

He was immediately arrested by City of London Police officers.

His two year prison sentence will run concurrently to his recall period of 14 months.

He was also disqualified from driving for five years and will have to pass an extended test before being allowed back on the road.

Investigating Uniformed Police Officer Gary Worster said:

This sentence reflects the severity of his actions and how his recklessness could have caused serious injury not just to others but also to himself.

Knowing that he was going to be recalled back to prison, Houston decided to make an attempt to escape from police capture without any clear thought.

It is fortunate that no one was seriously injured during this pursuit through the busy streets of London.

For the next five years at least, our roads will be a little safer without this dangerous driver behind the wheel.