A TEENAGER drove “like a maniac” while being pursued by police only weeks after receiving a suspended sentence for a similar escapade.

Despite being banned from driving under his August 20 sentence, Joshua Pattison took to the driver’s seat of a Vauxhall Vectra while out with his girlfriend on September 26.

Yesterday, Durham Crown Court heard he was not insured to drive the car, which was owned by his girlfriend’s father.

But once behind the wheel, he sped off after being spotted by police in Coundon, near Bishop Auckland, at about 11pm.

Despite the wet conditions, he reached speeds of up to 80mph in 30mph areas and 90mph in 60mph areas. He ignored give way signs, for a time switching off his headlights, and caused other drivers to take evasive action at junctions. At one stage, he tried to reverse into the police car.

Paul Lee, prosecuting, said Pattison also tore round a roundabout on two wheels, and two pedestrians had to run to avoid being hit.

The pursuing patrol vehicle struggled to safely keep up with the Vectra, and an officer involved described it as the most dangerous chase he has been involved in, said Mr Lee.

The pursuit passed through residential areas of Spennymoor but, approaching Kirk Merrington, police deployed a stinger device across the road, which deflated two of the Vectra’s tyres.

Pattison still refused to stop, and it was only when he turned into a dead end, in the car park of the Village Inn public house, that police caught him.

Mr Lee said Pattison made immediate admissions when he appeared before magistrates two days later.

Shaun Dryden, mitigating, told yesterday’s hearing: “He’s been obsessed with cars and driving. He’s immature and, you may say stupid, but he’s realistic enough to understand he is facing a custodial sentence.”

Imposing a 20-month sentence in a young offenders’ institution, including activating the eight months of the previous suspended sentence, Judge Michael Cartlidge told Pattison: “You drove like an absolute maniac. It was lunatic driving.”

He was also banned from driving for three years.

Pattison, 19, formerly from Coundon, admitted aggravated vehicle taking, dangerous driving, driving while disqualified and without insurance.