AN Oldbury man who lead police on a high speed chase after taking his aunt's car without permission because he was "bored" has been locked up for a year.

After his arrest Tony Price, aged 19, told police officers he intended driving the Ford Focus until it ran out of petrol, Wolverhampton Crown Court was told.

Phillip Brunt prosecuting said Price had been spotted driving too fast in the Great Bridge area by patrolling police officers and he accelerated away after ignoring their order to pull over.

He said the police pursuit lasted for 13 minutes with Price going through junctions at speed and going over speed bumps at 50mph as he tried to shake off the patrol car.

Finally, added Mr Brunt, the police car crashed into the Ford spinning the vehicle round to a standstill and Price was quickly arrested,

Price, of Aldridge Road, admitted driving dangerously, taking a car without consent and having no licence or insurance.

The court was told that after being bailed following his arrest Price had failed to attend hearings at the magistrates and crown courts and he had also not turned up for an interview with probation officers.

Judge Michael Challinor told Price, who was further disqualified from driving for a year: "You have sent yourself into custody by missing court cases."

Charles Crinnion, defending, said Price was a young man who would benefit from assistance from the probation services as he unsuccessfully pleaded for him to be allowed to keep his freedom.