A TEENAGE motorist involved in a one-and-a-half mile police chase in Epping was told by a judge on Friday that he had "come within a whisker" of being locked up.

Chelmsford Crown Court heard that at 1.10am on June 26, Mark Bines, 18, from Woodford Green, was seen driving a Peugeot 306 over a 50mph limit in Epping.

The pursuit began after Bines approached some traffic lights and a police car drove up behind and switched on its blue lights.

Prosecutor Susan Dalesandra told the court that Bines drove across the junction against the red light and accelerated.

Police pursued the vehicle for 1.7 miles along Maltings Lane, Lindsey Street and other roads in the town.

During the chase, Bines, of The Rodings, drove at 75mph through a residential area which had a speed limit of 30mph. He drove round bends on the wrong side of the road, nearly losing control of the vehicle.

He continued towards Epping Green at 80mph but came to a sudden halt in Bury Lane, where he got out and placed the keys on the bonnet.He admitted he had no licence or insurance.

Bines had been committed to Chelmsford Crown Court for sentence after admitting charges of dangerous driving, failing to stop when required, driving without a licence and driving uninsured.

He was made the subject of a community rehabilitation order for 18 months and ordered to do 60 hours community service and pay £100 prosecution costs.

He was also disqualified from driving for one year and ordered to take an extended driving test.

Judge Christopher Ball told Bines: "You drove atrociously. It's only a matter of luck you didn't kill someone.

"I'm not going to lock you up for two reasons. The first is your previous good character and the second is that you had the good sense eventually to stop when you realised you were behaving disgracefully."

Andrew Newton, defending, said Bines was an immature young man who drove off in panic when he saw the police.

He apologised for his behaviour and his remorse was genuine.

"This is his first time in a criminal court and he is a very frightened young man. He has learnt his lesson," said Mr Newton.