DOVER, N.H. (AP) – A judge has denied a request from a former private school teacher to spend another year in prison rather than admit that he is a sex offender.

David Cobb, a former teacher at Phillips Andover Academy, is serving eight to 15 years for hundreds of charges of child pornography. He became known as “Pumpkin Man” for a pumpkin mask found in his backpack.

Cobb was ordered to complete sex offender treatment as part of his sentence, but was dismissed from the program because he refused to admit his guilt. As a result, he expects to serve a one-year deferred sentence on additional misdemeanor charges in a county jail after he is released from prison in two years.

Cobb said he would rather serve the time together, rather than leave jail and have to return later.

Judge Bruce Mohl denied the request, saying he does not have authority to sentence Cobb to the State Prison on a misdemeanor charge.

Vt. man killed in 110-mph chase

FAIRFAX, Vt. (AP) – A local man was killed Wednesday when he crashed his car after being pursued by police at speeds reaching 110 miles an hour, state police said.

The victim was identified as Eric Howard, 18. He was pronounced dead on arrival at the Northwestern Medical Center in St. Albans.

The chase began at 2:02 a.m. when a vehicle driven by Howard almost collided head-on with a cruiser driven by state police Trooper Dan Marcellus, police said.

Marcellus chased the vehicle through Fairfax with his lights and siren activated. The chase lasted 10 to 12 miles with Howard traveling between 70 and 110 miles an hour, police said.

Howard’s vehicle hit the guard rails at the intersection of River Road and Route 104, but he managed to get the car back on the roadway.

“In the vicinity of Swamp Road in Fairfax, Trooper Marcellus backs away from the pursuit due to existing road conditions,” police said in a statement. “Trooper Marcellus was still able to observe the vehicle’s tail lights for a short period of time until he lost sight of the vehicle operated by Howard.”

Marcellus found Howard’s vehicle upside down. Howard was not wearing a seat belt.

Police say alcohol may have been involved.

AP-ES-11-16-05 1549EST