A MAN at the wheel of a stolen SUV 16 hours after it was taken from outside the owner’s home has been told to expect a prison sentence.

The warning was given to William Stewart after he admitted charges arising from a pursuit in which he drove the Land Rover Freelander dangerously once police made it clear they wanted him to pull over.

Durham Crown Court heard that the chase, on the evening of Wednesday January 11, took place after police spotted the Land Rover on the A19 on Teesside and realised it was the same vehicle reported having been taken earlier that morning.

Shaun Dryden, prosecuting, said the keys to the Land Rover were removed in a burglary at a residential address in the small village of Mordon, near Sedgefield, at about 3am.

The victim reported the break-in by 3.15am, having realised the Land Rover had been taken from outside the property, in Low Road, apparently by the burglars.

Mr Dryden said it was about 7pm that day when police patrol officers came across the vehicle on the A19 in the Stockton area and began to follow it, having checked that the details matched with those of the Land Rover reported as being taken earlier in Mordon.

But, in trying to flee police, Stewart travelled at 90-miles per hour in a 70-limit dual carriageway, went the wrong way round a roundabout, passed through at least two red lights, and at one point drove onto the kerb.

On leaving the A19, Stewart headed eastwards on Portrack Lane, Stockton, to Port Clarence, where he abandoned the vehicle, before being apprehended by police.

His comment to officers following his arrest was that he was, “not the burglar”, and was only moving the Land Rover, on behalf of someone else, for a £50 payment.

The defendant, 31, of Chapel Street, Lazenby, Middlesbrough, admitted dangerous driving, driving other than in accordance with the licence, no insurance.

Judge Christopher Prince remanded Stewart into custody, despite the request of counsel, Andrew Turton, to allow him bail until the sentencing hearing.

But Judge Prince told him: “He’s demonstrated he’s willing to put lives at risk to avoid engaging in a proper course of justice.

“Either you stop for police or you go to prison, and you receive a custodial sentence for that manner of driving.”

The case was adjourned until Friday .