A REDNAL man took his father’s car without permission and drove it at speeds up to 90mph in 30mph limit streets – all while under the influence of cannabis, a court was told.

Patrick Wheeler, aged 20, of Ryde Park Road, is also alleged to have driven through two red traffic lights and to have lifted the Alfa Romeo off the road and landed on the opposite lane at one stage.

He admits driving dangerously in Rednal, taking the vehicle without consent, being under the influence of drugs and having no insurance.

Judge Robert Juckes QC adjourned sentencing at Worcester Crown Court until May 16 because he wanted to hear evidence from a police officer about the speed Wheeler was travelling and the incident in which the car ended up on the opposite lane.

Although Wheeler admits driving at excessive speed he denies he was going as fast as claimed and disputes that the vehicle left the ground.

Alex Warren, prosecuting, said a police officer on patrol on the A441 in Hopwood noted the speed of the Alfa Romeo at 1.20am on January 21 and put sirens on.

Wheeler turned on to Longbridge Lane at 80mph and later hit more than 90mph on Cliff Rock Road, added Mr Warren.

The driver went through two red lights, one of which was at the junction with the A38 Bristol Road South dual carriageway.

“Fortunately no other vehicles were on the road at that time,” said Mr Warren.

The police officer abandoned the pursuit in Cliff Rock Road for reasons of public safety, but Wheeler was eventually stopped by other police vehicles, when he was found to have four times the legal limit of cannabis in his blood.

Gareth James, defending, said there was a natural dip in Longbridge Lane and Wheeler accepted he crossed over the road – but denied lifting the vehicle off the ground.

The judge banned Wheeler from driving pending him being sentenced.