A FATHER who tried to drive his new car home without a licence led police on a 60mph chase through 20mph streets in Headington before crashing, a court heard.

Morton Morton was spotted driving a Mercedes A170 on the Oxford ring road in February by police officers who noted the car had false registration plates.

Morton, of Stowford Road, Barton, was jailed for 18 months after admitting dangerous driving.

Oxford Crown Court heard he had previous convictions for aggravated vehicle taking and dangerous driving.

Prosecutor Ross Cohen told the court on Tuesday when police flashed their lights to pull Morton over he fled, driving on the wrong side of the road.

The 24-year-old turned off the dual carriageway and went the wrong way around a roundabout before speeding through Slade Park and Headington Quarry.

Mr Cohen added: “The pursuit continued along a series of side roads, driving at speeds of 60mph in a 20mph limit.

“The pursuit continued for around three miles and culminated in the Quarry Hollow estate where the vehicle collided with two parked cars and caused a third vehicle to crash.”

Mr Cohen said that the crash caused about £15,000 worth of damage.

Stuart Matthews, defending Morton, a BMW worker, said he bought the car for £400 and decided to drive it home without a licence when he could not find anyone to do it for him. He added: “It was a very poor choice and an unnecessary piece of driving. He was working hard to better his life.”

Jailing him, Judge Peter Ross said the roads Morton sped through had 20mph limits for a “very good” reason. He added: “They are narrow, they are roads where vehicles park, there a lot of of people around on foot of all ages.”

Judge Ross also disqualified Morton from driving for five years and ordered him to take an extended driving test before he could drive again.