Driver led officers in chase through Tipton streets
A teenager was pursued by police through the streets of Tipton in the middle of the night after taking his mother's car without permission, a court was told.
Soheb Ali drove without lights on, at speed and through a red traffic light during the pursuit. The 18-year-old also had no insurance and no driving licence and the judge in Wolverhampton Crown Court told him his actions were 'stupid'.
Ali, of Mayfair Gardens in Tipton, took his mother's silver Nissan Micra on June 7 this year. Police officers on a routine patrol at around 3.30am noticed a car driving without headlights on.
Prosecutor Mr David Lees told the court yesterday: "Initially he stopped the vehicle.
"As the police officer went towards the defendant's vehicle the vehicle was driven off at speed."
A short pursuit then followed, starting from Fisher Street in Tipton, with all the lights on the car Ali was driving still switched off.
The court heard that although Ali's speed wasn't recorded, it was thought to be 'in excess' of the 30mph speed limit.
Mr Lees added: "It went through a red traffic light when travelling towards Dudley Port.
"Police then found it in a driveway in John's Lane and this defendant and another man were found hiding nearby.
"The defendant's mother had not given him any permission to drive the car.
"He told police himself that his driving was stupid and dangerous."
Ali pleaded guilty to aggravated vehicle taking and using a motor vehicle without insurance or a driving licence.
The court heard that Ali had since been placed under a strict regime by his parents.
Mr Timothy Sapwell, defending, said the offences were 'out of character' for Ali.
"This was a stupid and dangerous incident that he foolishly involved himself in," Mr Sapwell added.
"But he very quickly came to his senses and admitted to police where the car keys were when he was found.
"His parents have clamped down on him in a very strict way.
"He doesn't mix with those who he previously got involved with anymore."
Ali was told to do 200 hours of unpaid work and disqualified from driving for 12 months.
He was also ordered to complete an extended driving test and handed a 12 month community order, as well as being told to pay £100 costs.
In sentencing him, Recorder Nigel Daly said he was satisfied that it was a one-off incident for Ali.
He added: "Until you appeared before the court you were a young man of good character.
"You've lost that because you've been stupid."
