A TEENAGER who led police on a high speed night-time pursuit was told by a judge: “Somebody could have been killed”.

Carlisle Crown Court heard how 19-year-old Calvin Lee Tweedy was banned from driving at the time of the three-mile pursuit at about midnight on February 14, and had never held a licence.

Prosecutor Beccy McGregor said Tweedy was spotted by police in a Ford Mondeo in Egremont and “immediately began to make off”.

“At this point he drove around the police officer’s vehicle, mounting a pavement then going on to the road,” said Ms McGregor. “There were pedestrians on this pavement and the defendant drove off at speed.”

Another police vehicle with its blue lights flashing took up the chase. Dashcam footage played in court showed Tweedy hitting twice the 30mph speed limit on narrow residential streets, before the three-mile pursuit continued on rural roads.

It ended as the teen abandoned the car in a field, leaving two female passengers - one distressed - at the scene.

A police dog and handler located Tweedy, who was bitten by the animal during a struggle. He failed a cocaine drug swipe test and was seen to be under the influence.

He later admitted dangerous driving, having no insurance, failing to provide a specimen for analysis and disqualified driving.

After considering a specialist background report, noting the teen’s guilty plea and concluding he was “a juvenile in all but age”, Judge Peter Davies suspended a 14-month jail term for two years.

Tweedy, of Howbank Road, Egremont, must also complete 180 hours’ unpaid work, a six-month night-time curfew and was given a three-year driving ban.

Judge Davies told Tweedy he put police, pedestrians, himself and his two passengers at risk. “Somebody could have been killed,” said the judge.

“There were two young girls who, I have no doubt, were shouting and screaming at you to stop, and were frightened, and you kept on driving for your own selfishness.

“It is a dreadful piece of driving.”