A POLICE spotter plane helped catch a kidnapper who snatched his former girlfriend and her toddler, a court heard yesterday.

The crew of Cleveland Police's spotter plane ended an eight-hour drive by Timothy Speed, 20, with terrified Nicola Freeman,22, and her three-year-old son, Jordan.

Teesside Crown Court heard that Speed had begged Miss Freeman for a last meeting before he moved away.

They met in a pub car park in Stockton.

When she put her son into Speed's car, his mood changed and he forced her into the vehicle before driving around Teesside.

The court heard that Miss Freeman was allowed to call friends to say she was going home to collect her clothes and the police were waiting for the car.

They chased the vehicle to Port Clarence, on Teesside, where it was stopped after being spotted by the police plane.

Jamie Hill, defending, said Speed had now accepted the relationship was over.

Speed, of Skerne Road, Norton, Teesside, pleaded guilty to two charges of kidnap in May, putting a person in fear of violence, driving while disqualified and driving without insurance.

He was given a three year community rehabilitation order and a restraining order banning him from within half a mile of Miss Freeman and her family's homes.

The court also disqualified Speed from driving for another 12 months.