A TEENAGER who stole his mother's car while she slept had to be stopped by police using a stinger device, a court heard yesterday.

Martin Robert Tyson, 18, of Fawcus Street, Redcar, admitted a charge of aggravated vehicle taking without consent, driving with no insurance and driving with no licence.

Richard Parcell, prosecuting, told Teesside Crown Court that Tyson, who has never had a driving licence, had stolen the car while his mother slept, on July 26 this year.

He said he had then driven it around Dormanstown, when it was spotted by police officers and a chase ensued at about 3.30am.

Mr Parcell said the car was driven at excess speed and on the wrong side of a road before police used a stinger device to stop it.

He told the court this was not the first time Tyson had admitted charges of that nature.

John Gillette, defending Tyson, said the car had been taken impulsively after he had an argument with his mother.

He said the driving had been less dangerous, as there were few or no vehicles on the road at that time of day.

Judge Peter Armstrong sentenced Tyson to four months in a young offenders' institution, disqualified him from driving for 12 months and endorsed any licence he may take out.