A TEENAGER from Moulton has been jailed for three weeks after he drove his mum's car at high speed across Northwich, crashed it and ran away from police.

Michael Edward French, of Lodge Drive, appeared before Northwich magistrates on Wednesday last week.

He pleaded guilty to using an uninsured motor vehicle, driving a vehicle dangerously and driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence on June 13.

The court heard that unemployed French, aged 19, took the R-registration Vauxhall Corsa without permission and drove it through Northwich at high speeds during the early hours of the morning.

Miss Cara Pickering, prosecuting, said: "The defendant's mother, Anita French, arrived back at her home address on June 13 to find that her car was missing.

"A policeman at Kingsmead later spotted the Corsa travelling towards Northwich town centre at high speed. It was exceeding 60 mph where the limit was just 30 mph and so he followed it.

"The policeman said the car made several different turns and in Fairfield Road it hit a kerb, making the car jump into the air.

"It struck a parked car, a Ford Sierra, in a cul-de-sac and three people got out and ran away. The officer recognised one as Mr French.

"During an interview French said he had a few friends around and they had decided to take the car for a drive round Winsford and Northwich.

"He admitted he had ran a red light and was speeding. Mr French confessed his driving was dangerous and said if it had been daytime he could have killed someone."

Defence solicitor Mr Chris Johnson pointed out that his client had not travelled a great distance and the consequences were not as serious as they might have been had it been daytime.

He said: "I would ask you to accept that this young man, having done something very foolish, has done everything to put it right since.

"He pleaded guilty at the first available opportunity and co-operated with police officers.

"His mum has also forgiven him for his behaviour.

"There was only a very low speed impact with the parked car, which resulted in little damage.

"Somebody suggested they go for a ride, the car was on the drive and that's what they did without thinking about the consequences. He fully realises this is his last chance."

Chairman of the bench, Philip Dodd, told French: "You put the lives of your passengers at risk and if people had been about at 1am there could have been a fatal accident.

"I will impose a sentence of 21 days in custody but if it happens again it could be months."

French was also disqualified from driving for 12 months.

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