A TEENAGER led police on a 20-mile chase at speeds of up to 70mph in a stolen car, a court heard yesterday.

He ignored four red traffic lights and twice negotiated roundabouts the wrong way, hurling scaffolding poles at his pursuers as he went, Harrogate magistrates were told.

Billy Watson, 19, of Westcliffe Grove, Harrogate, ignored a police patrol's attempts to stop him in Station Parade, in the town, early on Sunday and drove a Vauxhall Nova through a red light and over Station Bridge.

Simon Ostler, prosecuting, said police followed with blue lights flashing and sirens on as the Nova swung to the right of the Empress roundabout at 58mph before reaching 70mph on Knaresborough Road where it went on the wrong side of traffic islands.

Watson drove through three more red lights in a pursuit which continued along the A6055, through Minskip at 58mph and into Boroughbridge after negotiating another roundabout the wrong way.

As the Nova sped towards Dishforth airfield a nearside tyre disintegrated, but he drove on the rim, hurling a scaffolding pole at the pursuers. Mr Ostler said Watson continued to throw items from the car as the chase continued towards Asenby where a patrol car managed to overtake at the A168 flyover,.

The Nova crashed into the police car before stopping and when Watson got out he said: "I gave you a good chase.''

Watson pleaded guilty to vehicle taking aggravated by dangerous driving, driving while disqualified and without insurance, refusing to stop for police and refusing to give a breath test. He admitted cannabis possession, but denied a dangerous driving charge, which was dropped.

David Camidge, mitigating, said Watson, who was released from custody earlier this year and remained on licence, did not seek bail.

Court chairman Catherine Nickols remanded him in custody to be sentenced at York Crown Court on June 21.