A pregnant woman was dragged for a quarter of a mile as she clung desperately to her car as it was taken by a man, a court heard yesterday.

Christopher Craigens drove off in Lorraine Brocklesby's car with her arms trapped in the driver's side window.

She was flung to the pavement as the car came to a halt but was not seriously injured, Teesside Crown Court heard.

Adrian Dent, prosecuting, said Craigens was a friend of Mrs Brocklesby's ex-partner. The pair had gone to her children's school intending to take the car until she paid parking fines owed on the vehicle.

As Craigens sat in the car, Mrs Brocklesby tried to grab the keys but the 30-year-old drove off at speeds up to 40mph with Mrs Brocklesby still clinging on.

Craigens, of Elizabeth Street, Thornaby, pleaded guilty to causing actual bodily harm by wanton driving. The case was adjourned for pre-sentence reports.