A PROVISIONAL driver who dangerously sped along the streets in a high-speed police chase has been handed a suspended sentence.

Richard York confessed he had not passed his driving test when he attempted to avoid officers travelling towards him during the four-minute pursuit.

The scaffolder glanced to the floor throughout his hearing at Oxford Crown Court before walking from the dock with the six-month sentence, suspended for 18 months.

He appeared in front of Judge Maria Lamb for sentence, who also ordered him to carry out 150 hours unpaid work and handed him a 21-month driving ban.

She said: "This was a pretty appalling piece of driving. I think I would be perfectly justified sending you straight to prison but it would not be a particularly long sentence and I have to weigh up whether in fact there are more constructive ways you can put right the damage that you did.

"This is not a let off, this is a threat hanging over your head to remind you how serious this was and why there should be no repetition. I don't want to hear that you have been back in front of the courts again. This is a last chance."

Police were out in patrol in The Fairway, Banbury, when they spotted York's blue Vauxhall Astra in an 'unroadworthy condition', prosecutor Robert Lindsey told the court on Thursday.

Officers tried to catch up with the defendant but he raced away, trying to escape police as he raced away, travelling at speeds reaching 50mph in 20mph zones, the court was told.

The driver, of Mold Crescent, Banbury, also went along a pedestrian footpath, crashed into two other vehicles during his speeding spree and caused damage to the police car and his vehicle.

York, who had no relevant previous convictions, had never taken a driving test and was behind the wheel without any learner plates, Dr Lindsey said.

He revealed to interviewing officers he 'panicked' when officers started chasing him as he made his way to his father's house, claiming 'adrenalin kicked in'.

York, who confessed his insurance policy had lapsed when he was driving, went on to tell police: "When I did stop, I got out and put my hands up and said sorry."

The 22-year-old, who was also ordered to pay £450 costs and abide by a curfew, was unrepresented at the hearing after telling Judge Lamb he did not want to adjourn to instruct solicitors but instead wanted to 'get on with his life'.

He admitted dangerous driving, driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence and driving without third party insurance on January 23.