A MANIAC motorcyclist has avoided jail despite almost killing himself on a Colchester road.

Dangerous driver Justin Cartwright, who previously risked the lives of two young children during a police chase, was given a suspended sentence at Colchester Magistrates’ Court this week.

Cartwright, 26, of Viscount Drive, tried to flee the Mersea Road crash scene but was too badly injured during his latest reckless ride in the town.

In 2013 Cartwright, who did not have a driving licence, was spotted by police behind the wheel of a Saab convertible.

He attempted to make his getaway by driving the wrong way down a dual carriageway, at speeds of 80mph on B roads and while driving through red lights.

All the time his two young step-children were in the back seat.

Unable to make his escape on the road he dumped the car, abandoned the children, and fled on foot before being caught by officers.

He was jailed for eight months for dangerous driving and the already illegal motorist was banned for two years.

On July 15, while still banned from the road, Cartwright was riding an off-road motorbike badly along Mersea Road.

This time it was he who could have been killed.

Cartwright lost control and crashed into a Volkswagen Polo.

He came off the bike, smashed into the windscreen before crashing onto the tarmac.

An off-duty police officer came across the scene and recognised Cartwright.

While others tried to wheel his bike away, along Stansted Road, Cartwright attempted to leave the scene but his injuries were too severe.

An ambulance was called and he was rushed to hospital.

On Monday Cartwright admitted driving while disqualified, without insurance, without due care and attention and without protective headgear at Colchester Magistrates’ Court.

The court heard he suffered serious injuries.

Philippa Beswick, mitigating, said: “He was fortunate not to be killed.”

He broke his leg and spent weeks in hospital.

He is still suffering from the injuries and needs more surgery.

He fortunately escaped brain damage.

Cartwright was jailed for 16 weeks, suspended for 12 months, for driving while disqualified again.

He was given a curfew for three months from 7pm to 7am and a community order with supervision for 12 months.

He was disqualified from driving for 18 months for driving without insurance.

He received no separate penalty for driving without due care and attention and without protective headgear.

It was his 25th conviction for more than 60 crimes.

By the age of 21 he had already committed 54 offences with 17 convictions.

These included criminal damage, attempted robbery, battery and theft.

In 2010, when he turned 21, he was jailed for two years for committing 14 crimes in four months.

These included burglary of a home in Birch.

At that time his drug habit was blamed.

Other convictions included assault in 2012 and a series of offences following the car chase in 2013 including dangerous driving, having no driving licence or insurance and failing to stop.

This week another four offences were admitted taking him to 25 convictions.