A TEENAGER denies being behind the wheel of a car during a police pursuit both on and off the A19, in County Durham, a court heard.

Luke Pearson denies dangerous driving arising from the incident on Tuesday October 17, last year, in a Peugeot 450.

It began on the B1280, in Wingate, took in the A19 northbound, between Sheraton and Castle Eden, and the A181 Wellfield Road, plus North Road, back in Wingate.

He also denies having no insurance and driving other than in accordance with the licence.

The 18-year-old indicated those pleas during a hearing at Durham Crown Court on Friday, but after being advised by Judge Christopher Prince to speak to his barrister, Jane Waugh, over the lunch adjournment, he failed to appear for the resumed hearing in the afternoon.

Judge Prince issued a bench warrant not backed with bail, for the arrest of the defendant.

Five days later he appeared back in the dock having been arrested following execution of the bench warrant.

Asked why he failed to appear for the resumed hearing last Friday afternoon, Ian West, now representing Pearson, told the court: “He was here, but left.

“I’m told he pleaded not guilty to dangerous driving as he said he was the passenger, not the driver.

“It was stood down, but Miss Waugh tells me he was very frightened and he was not prepared to say who was the driver.”

A trial date was fixed at the court, to start on Tuesday November 27 and Judge Prince agreed to a request by Mr West to allow the defendant, of Peterlee, bail in the intervening period.