A YOUNG unlicensed motorist “panicked” when police spotted him at the wheel of his car, taking it for a short test drive, a court heard.

Jamie Christopher Caisley knew he was not fully licensed or insured to drive his Skoda Fabia unsupervised and so tried to drive away from the police.

Durham Crown Court heard he drove around Tyne Road and other residential areas of South Stanley at speed, trying to shake off the pursuing police car.

Miss Khan said the Skoda turned into and drove through the car park at nearby South Moor Golf Club, before heading onto a country track, which petered out after three-quarters-of-a-mile.

Caisley pulled up and remained in situ, before being arrested.

The 22-year-old apprentice plumber, of Westfields, in Stanley, made full admissions during his police interview, and pleaded guilty to charges of dangerous driving, no insurance and driving other than in accordance with his licence, at his first court appearance before magistrates.

His case was sent for sentence to the crown court, where a probation report was read to the hearing.

The report outlined that Caisley was trying to become a qualified driver as he had passed the initial theory test.

On the day of the incident, Sunday, December 18, he fitted a new car radiator and decided to take it for a short test drive to a shop and back.

But, on seeing the police car, he, “panicked” knowing he was not insured.

The report stated: “The defendant is not familiar with the criminal justice system, because if he had pulled over he would only have been dealt with at the magistrates’ court for driving without a licence or insurance, instead.

“It’s not very often I interview someone with genuine remorse, but that was the case with this defendant.”

Jennifer Coxon, mitigating, handed two character testimonials to the court and added: “He, quite stupidly, made an incorrect decision, firstly to drive and then to try to drive away from the police, and he appreciates the potential risk he posed to other road users, as a result.

“He has no previous convictions and it won’t be behaviour he’ll be repeating.”

Judge Simon Hickey told Caisley his “exceptional character” enabled him to take the “exceptional decision” not to impose an automatic custodial sentence.

He passed an eight-month prison sentence, suspended for a year, and ordered Caisley to undergo 80-hours’ unpaid work, and pay £125 costs.

Caisley was also banned from driving for 15 months.