A Gateshead man has been given another suspended sentence after being caught drink driving and leading police on a chase. Owen Lawson, 20, was still subject to a suspended sentence for wounding when he committed the driving offences. Lawson was driving an Audi A3 in Gateshead when he was stopped by police. He was found to be over the limit and had no insurance. He pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, drink driving, driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence and having no insurance. He also admitted breaching the six month suspended prison sentence he had been given for wounding last August. Recorder Dapinder Singh KC said initially he was struggling to think why he should not lock him up, both for breaching the previous suspended sentence and for the driving offences. But he decided to give him a chance, telling Dawson he would struggle to avoid going to custody if he offends again. Rachel Hedworth, defending, said: "He is a very young and immature individual. He has struggled with his mental health significantly." She claimed he had driven because he was trying to get away from the police, not because he was trying to cause harm. The court heard that Lawson had a provisional licence and no insurance, and that he had been driving at speeds of up to 60mph in a 30mph zone. He was breathalysed and found to be over the limit. Lawson was given a suspended sentence of six months, with the condition that he must not commit any further offences. He was also ordered to pay a fine and costs.