A DRUGGED-up motorbike rider has promised to change his ways after being locked up for taking police on a dangerous chase through residential streets.

Lee Brown was caught riding the stolen KTM motorbike following a 30-minute chase through the streets of Middlesbrough following an axe incident.

Joe Culley, prosecuting, said the bike had been stolen two days before three men were spotted riding it, with one carrying an axe, as they attempted to flee the scene.

He added: “They were trying to kick down a door on a house on Hadleigh Crescent and the males were then seen making off on a motorbike.

“Police on patrol saw the vehicle, carrying three males, and a number of police vehicles attended the area to look for them and the police helicopter was brought in to help locate the bike.

“During the course of the pursuit it was seen travelling around the Marton Road area and seen travelling at excessive speeds, 50mph at times, weaving in and out of traffic, and driving on grassed areas.”

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Mr Culley said the pursuit lasted for 30 minutes before being brought to a halt with a stinger.

Brown, of Cottingham Drive, Middlesbrough, pleaded guilty to dangerous driving and possession of cannabis following his arrest on May 8 this year. He also pleaded guilty to driving without insurance.

The defendant also pleaded guilty to possession of cannabis from April 5 and possession of a machete and cocaine from April 14 when he was spotted riding a suspected stolen motorbike.

The court heard he had numerous convictions including for possession of cocaine with intent to supply, carrying a knife, and threatening with a blade.

Simon Walker, in mitigation, said the father of two’s partner is pregnant with their third child and will miss the birth due to his latest offences.

Mr Walker said his client developed an addiction to cocaine after being released from his previous conviction.

Judge Paul Watson, the Recorder of Middlesbrough, sentenced Brown to a total of 12 months in prison and banned from driving for 20 months.

“You have a very long record predominantly for drugs and dishonesty,” he said. “The most serious (this time) was the offence of dangerous driving, this was an episode that was close to the top of the range, other than fact nobody was mercifully hurt, it could have ended up very much worse.”

Following his sentence, Brown said: “Thank you judge, I’m going to turn my life around this time.”

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