A teenager who led police on a 20-mile chase at speeds of up to 70mph in a stolen car shot four red traffic lights and twice negotiated roundabouts the wrong way, hurling scaffolding poles at his pursuers as he went, a court heard today.

Harrogate magistrates were told how Billy Watson ignored a police patrol's attempts to stop him in Station Parade, Harrogate, early on Sunday morning and drove a Vauxhall Nova through a red light and over Station Bridge.

Prosecutor Simon Ostler said police followed with their patrol car's blue lights flashing and sirens wailing as the Nova swung to the right of the Empress roundabout at 58 mph before reaching 70mph down Knaresborough Road where it went the wrong side of traffic islands.

Three more red lights were shot during a pursuit which continued along the A6055, through Minskip at 58 mph and into Boroughbridge after negotiating another roundabout the wrong way.

As the Nova sped towards Dishforth airfield a nearside tyre disintegrated but it continued, running on the rim and with Watson, 19, hurling a scaffolding pole at his pursuers.

Mr Ostler said Watson, of Westcliffe Grove, Harrogate, continued to throw items from the car as the chase continued towards Asenby where at the A168 flyover, a patrol car managed to overtake.

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

Watson pleaded guilty to vehicle taking aggravated by dangerous driving and also admitted driving while disqualified and without insurance, refusing to stop for police and refusing to give a breath test.

He pleaded guilty to cannabis possession but denied a dangerous driving charge, which was dropped.

Defence solicitor David Camidge said Watson, who had been released from custody earlier this year and remained on licence, had taken a pragmatic and sensible view and decided not to seek bail.

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