An 18-year-old driver led police on a high-speed chase in a stolen van, a court heard.

Michael Parry, of Columbia Way, Grove, pleaded guilty to driving whilst disqualified, having no insurance, taking a vehicle without consent and aggravated vehicle-taking.

John Small, prosecuting, said Parry took an Austin van from Grove at 4.30am on June 4. A police patrol spotted it and followed it through Grove, to Wantage, and on to Didcot at more than 80mph.

He said a youth who was with him in the van threw tools from the back of the vehicle to slow the police car. Parry eventually abandoned the car outside the magistrates' court in Didcot where he waited to be apprehended.

Mr Small said when interviewed Parry admitted taking another vehicle that night.

The youth had been cautioned, while a man charged in connection with the incident had failed to appear at an earlier court hearing.

Paul Mitchell, defending, said: "This is a man with a fascination for motor vehicles."

Recorder Peter Joyce sentenced Parry to ten months in a detention and training centre and disqualified him from driving for two years.