A JUDGE has blasted a dangerous driver for acting like a 'petulant teenager' and told him is it was time to 'grow up' as he jailed him for a year.

Mohammed Suleman took police on a high speed chase around residential streets in Middlesbrough town centre after he was spotted speeding in the early hours of the morning.

The 28-year-old was travelling at speeds in excess of 70mph in 30 zones while driving through red lights and failing to slow down as he sped across junctions.

Judge Jonathan Carroll lambasted Suleman's 'petulant' attitude and jailed him for 12 months.

"The pre-sentence report paints a pretty poor picture of you, an unpleasant insight into your behaviour. My heart goes out to your mother and father and your brother, I have no doubt they are decent people who are doing their best to help you stand on your own two feet.

"The overwhelming impression I get is that at 28 you still somehow rely on big brother, mother and father," he said.

"The time has come to grow up and live with the consequences of your own decisions. This is so serious that the general public would be staggered if you didn't get a custodial sentence."

Judge Carroll also banned Suleman from driving for three years and six months.

Speaking to Suleman's family who attended court for the hearing, he added: "I'm genuinely sorry having to do that in front of you; I'm sorry that you had to be here to experience that."

Teesside Crown Court heard how Suleman was speeding through the streets of Middlesbrough at 2am on March 4 this year when police started pursuing him on Park Vale Road.

Anthony Pettengell, prosecuting, said: "It pulled out as a roundabout and speed and then it accelerated to 75mph in a 30mph area, police attempted to catch up and they put on their lights and sirens, instead of stopping the defendant accelerates through a red traffic light at the crossroads at Park Road North and he continued onwards towards the end of Park Vale Road."

Mr Pettengell said Suleman continued at speed, ignoring give way signs before he eventually came to a stop on Haddon Street when he lost control of the car.

Suleman and his passenger got out of the car and attempted to run away, with the defendant throwing away the car keys and his jacket before being caught.

Suleman, of Croydon Road, Middlesbrough, pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, driving whilst disqualified and driving with no insurance.

In mitigation, Michele Turner, told the court that she had shared a frank exchange of opinions with her client over his attitude towards his offending.

"The saving grace was that this took place at 2am and the chances of hitting other vehicles would be limited," she said.

"He has to grow up, at 28 he cannot continue to behave like a petulant child."