DELUSIONAL Gavin Lankester is today hoping to avoid jail after ramming a teenager's car during a car chase through Felixstowe.

Ipswich Crown Court heard that in a state of drug-induced paranoia, Lankester pursued two 17-year-olds because he wrongly believed his partner was having an affair and her lover had just fled their home.

Judge Peter Fenn told Lankester, of Childers Field, Felixstowe he would defer sentence for three months so the 32-year-old could prove he could kick his drug habit.

Prosecutor Neil Macauley said teenager Samuel Thomas was in his blue Citroen with a friend in Runnacles Way, Felixstowe, at 1am on June 17. Mr Thomas believed Lankester kicked out at the Citroen as it went past.

The car was stopped further along the road and the teenagers got out. However, they noticed Lankester had got into a Vauxhall Vectra and was reversing it.

The court heard the teenagers drove off followed by the defendant at speed. Lankester continued to chase the Citroen, driving alongside at times in an attempt to get past. At other times he swerved and tailgated Mr Thomas' car.

Mr Thomas' passenger rang police on his mobile phone.

As the Citroen went past Felixstowe police station in High Road, Mr Thomas sounded the horn to attract attention. An officer saw what was going on and went in search of the cars.

When Mr Thomas and Lankester reached Fleetwood Avenue, the teenager stopped his Citroen.

Lankester pulled up, went to the driver's door and opened it, telling the teenagers to get out.

Mr Macauley said: “They were very, very scared.”

Mr Thomas drove off and as he turned into Dellwood Avenue, his car was hit from behind. The collision led Mr Thomas to lose control, strike a garden wall and spin around 180 degrees.

The car was effectively 'T-boned', sustaining extensive damage to its rear and left-hand side, the court heard.

Both teenagers got out, with the passenger having to clamber out the driver's side. They ran to Hamilton Road with Lankester still in pursuit, before being stopped by police.

Lankester was found to have a gram of cocaine in his pocket when he was arrested.

The court heard he told police that due to a cocaine habit, he had become paranoid and had been hearing things.

He believed he had heard noises in the loft and thought his girlfriend was having an affair. On the night of the car chase he believed a man had just left his house as he saw the Citroen pass by.

Judge Fenn said he would defer sentence to December 11 so Lankester could prove he could stay off drugs.

He indicated Lankester - who admitted to possession of cocaine, dangerous driving and threatening behaviour - would be likely to get a suspended sentence if successful.