A man who attempted to flee police in two city centre chases that saw him drive over pavements and on the wrong side of the road has lost a bid to slash his jail sentence. 

Donovan Gurley, 56, sped off as officers tried to stop him for driving while disqualified on two occasions within seven months. 

His BMW was pursued by police in an unmarked vehicle on May 14 last year while he attempted to reverse away at high speed after being forced to stop.

Norwich Evening News: Donovan Gurley was sentenced to a total of 20 monthsDonovan Gurley was sentenced to a total of 20 months (Image: Norfolk Constabulary)

Then a Mercedes he was spotted driving was chased through Norwich city centre on December 21 during which he ignored road closed signs, mounted the pavement, drove through fencing and on the wrong side of a traffic island. 

READ MORE: Man jailed over dangerous driving through Norwich streets

He was sentenced at Norwich Crown Court after admitting dangerous driving, driving while disqualified and refusing to provide a specimen.

Gurley, who previously lived at Wellington Green, was jailed for a total of 20 months, disqualified from driving for three years 10 months and was ordered to sit an extended test before being allowed back behind the wheel.

However, he subsequently applied to the Court of Appeal seeking permission to challenge his convictions. 

But in a hearing this week a panel of judges refused it saying there was “no basis that his convictions were unsafe”.

Norwich Evening News: The Court of Appeal rejected applications to challenge his conviction and sentencingThe Court of Appeal rejected applications to challenge his conviction and sentencing (Image: PA)

In a written judgement they said: “He had pleaded guilty to the offences. He was fit to plead. His pleas were not equivocal, and he had the benefit of legal advice.”

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The panel also dismissed his claims that his sentencing had been “manifestly excessive or wrong in principle”.

They threw out claims the judge was “biased” having sentenced him for previous offences in 2019, that he had been given insufficient credit for guilty pleas, and that mitigation had not been taken into account.

However, the panel did quash a separate four-month sentence for driving while disqualified on March 26 last year saying the summary only offences should not have been committed to Norwich Crown Court. 

They ordered that he be re-sentenced at Norwich Magistrates Court for those offences at a later date.