A TEENAGER’S attempt to drive away from police did not get far, although he caused £5,000 worth of damage in the process, a court heard.

Seventeen-year-old Declan Anthony Kennedy was at the wheel of a Saab 93 which came to police attention on Manor Way, Peterlee, at 11.05am on February 27.

Durham Crown Court heard a patrol car officer noticed neither front seat occupant was wearing a seat belt, and the driver appeared shocked when he saw the officer looking in his direction.

Chris Baker, prosecuting, said as the police car turned to follow, the Saab accelerated after turning onto Eastfield, and the officer was sure the driver was trying to evade detection.

Mr Baker said the officer briefly lost sight of the Saab as it turned at speed onto Thorntree Gill, a residential road with cars parked down either side.

But as the police vehicle followed onto Thorntree Gill, the officer saw a parked Ford Mondeo and a Renault Captur, driven by a woman with her mother and three-year-old son as passengers, both accident damaged.

Further up the road the Saab was found abandoned and its occupants ran off, but a passer-by shouted that the driver was Declan Kennedy.

The woman in the Captur said she had to swerve at the last moment into a parked car to avoid being struck by the approaching Saab, shortly before it was abandoned.

Mr Baker said the damage to the three vehicles in Thorntree Gill amounted to more than £5,000.

Having been named as the driver, Kennedy was arrested and made no reply to police questions.

But he was later picked out by the passer-by as the driver in an identity procedure.

Kennedy, now 18, of Avon Road, Peterlee, admitted dangerous driving, failing to report an accident, plus driving without insurance or a licence.

Neil Bennett, mitigating, told the court: “He was foolish enough to acquire this vehicle in the first place, given that he can’t drive.

“Whatever driving skills he believes he has, he was even more foolish to drive away from police.

“Thankfully, no-one was injured and it wasn’t a prolonged piece of bad driving at a thoroughly excessive speed. Neither was there and drink or drugs involved.”

Recorder Timothy Roberts passed a six-month custodial sentence, but due to his young age at the time and lack of similar convictions, he suspended it for 18 months, banned him from driving for two years.