A HOMELESS man has been jailed after he sparked a police and helicopter chase as he drunkenly drove at high speeds.

Daniel Dodsworth was branded a menace by a judge at Teesside Crown court yesterday as he was jailed for two years and two months.

The court heard that the 19-year-old had been using a Vauxhall Cavilier car as a makeshift home when he picked up three friends, including a 14-year-old girl and his 18-year-old sister.

He was spotted by police officers as he drove along Woodland Road, Darlington, on September 12 at 1am.

The officers gave chase and were assisted by two other police cars and a police helicopter which was used to charter his movements.

Judge Peter Bowers was told Dodsworth drove at 70mph in a 30mph speed limit zone, narrowly missing concrete bollards in the road, before driving on to the A67 and going at speeds of more than 100mph.

He eventually crashed head-on into a parked vehicle.

The court heard that Dodsworth, of no fixed address, has previous convictions for motoring offences and had never passed a driving test.

Judge Bowers said: "It was a serious, high-speed chase. You have never even sat a test, never mind passed one.

"You were prepared to put people at risk in order to get your thrills and I am not having it. You have to grow up."

Dodsworth, who pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, driving with excess alcohol, driving while disqualified and no insurance, was also disqualified from driving for four years.