A TEENAGE driver who led police on a high-speed car chase during rush hour has been banned from the roads.

As reported in the Daily Echo, Lewis Slater, of Francis Avenue in Bournemouth, had turned 18 just two days before the pursuit on Monday, January 15.

Police travelling in a marked car along Wallisdown Road spotted the defendant's Volkswagen Beetle in traffic at 5pm.

The officers became suspicious and made an attempt to follow, but Slater, who had a passenger with him at the time, made off at speeds of up to 70 miles per hour. Armed police became involved in the pursuit.

The Beetle hit a parked Mazda and while the vehicle was stopped, an officer managed to wrench open a door. Slater then sped off again, but was quickly boxed in by police vehicles.

A knuckleduster was found in the defendant's jacket and more than 3.5 grams of cannabis was discovered in a bag in the car.

Slater admitted dangerous driving, possession of a class B drug and possession of an offensive weapon in a public place. The case was adjourned for a pre-sentence report.

Magistrates at Poole have now sentenced the teenager to a community order. He must carry out 200 hours of unpaid work within the next year and pay an £85 surcharge and £85 costs.

Slater was also disqualified from driving for two years. The cannabis and the knuckleduster have been forfeited by police and will be destroyed.