A BANNED teenage driver claimed he was a passenger after police ended a car chase by deploying a tyre-deflating device, a court heard.

Macauley Huntley was at the wheel of a Skoda Fabia which came to police attention after emerging from Hawthorn Services, on the A19, immediately in front of a lorry, at 2am on October 13.

Durham Crown Court heard the Skoda left the dual carriageway at Easington Village and was observed as it was driven erratically, swerving between lanes.

Phillip Morley, prosecuting, said the pursuing police vehicle indicated for it to stop, but Huntley accelerated up to 80-mph, heading from Easington Colliery to Horden, and northwards, before being stopped by the ‘stinger’ on Stockton Road, in Seaham.

Huntley, wearing a grey hooded top, was seen climbing from the front of the Skoda into the back seat where there were other passengers.

He claimed he was not the driver, but the 19-year-old, of Stockley Road, Barmston, Washington, changed his pleas and admitted dangerous driving, while disqualified and without insurance.

Peter Walsh, mitigating, said Huntley has since begun to grow up, passing a bricklaying course, with hopes of progressing to the next level.

Imposing an 18-month sentence in a young offenders’ institution, Recorder Euan Duff told Huntley he had “an unenviable driving record”. He also banned him from driving for three years and nine months.