AN unlicensed motorcyclist collided with police as he rode on a path trying to evade capture, a court heard.

Andrew Hawthornthwaite was riding the 125cc scooter, with a pillion passenger, on September 19.

"It was about 3am when the police officer heard a motorcycle. His attention was drawn to a defective exhaust," said Hari Jandoo, prosecuting at South Durham Magistrates' Court, sitting in Newton Aycliffe.

"The officer activated his blue lights, but the motorcyclist carried on."

"He mounted the footpath and it was at that point that the motorcycle collided with the police vehicle," he said.

Mr Jandoo went on to say Hawthornthwaite had also stolen two laptops and a Ford Focus from Darlington Technical College, on October 18.

Kevin Ross, mitigating, said: "He went to the college initially wondering if there was a course he could enrol on. It was a spur of the moment thing, when they got there, to see what they could find.

"As far as the vehicle is concerned, he has not had any benefit from taking it."

Hawthornthwaite pleaded guilty to driving without a licence, insurance, or a crash helmet, failing to stop for a police officer, driving without due care and attention and theft of a motor vehicle and two laptops.

The 24-year-old, of Lawrence Street, Darlington, was given a conditional discharge for driving without due care and attention, eight points for no insurance, but no penalty for the other driving offences.

The thefts were adjourned for sentencing at Durham Crown Court at a date to be fixed.