A STUDENT who hasn’t passed his driving test led police on an 80mph high speed chase that included a pursuit through built up areas.

Newport Crown Court heard how Jay Woodland, 19, of Woodside Drive, Newbridge, was egged on by friends not to stop.

He was first spotted by a patrol officer joining the A467 from Croespenmaen before he headed towards Llanhilleth.

Prosecutor Laura Shepherd said how he was seen driving at “excess speed” at 2am on Friday, May 11 with five people in the car.

Woodland drove on the same road through Abertilley before he finally stopped at a dead end in Blaina. Miss Shepherd said during the chase, the defendant drove on the wrong side of the road, his passengers were thrown from side to side and he nearly hit parked cars.

Footage of the pursuit, captured by the police car, was played to the judge, Recorder Catherine Richards.

He admitted dangerous driving, failing to stop, driving without insurance and driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence.

The prosecutor said Woodland had made “full and frank admissions” to police following his arrest and had no previous convictions.

Llyr Williams, mitigating, said: “The defendant entered guilty pleas in the magistrates’ court at the first possible opportunity.”

He urged the judge not to pass a custodial sentence, citing the facts that his client suffers from Asperger's syndrome, his previous clean character, his age and “immaturity”.

Mr Williams added: “He was driving a vehicle belonging to a friend. He was having a go, so to speak. He has no licence and no insurance.

“There was peer pressure on him not to stop. His friends were shouting for him to drive on.” His solicitor said: “He is remorseful for his actions and has used the word stupid to describe his behaviour.”

The court heard Woodland is studying an NVQ in mechanics at Coleg Gwent, Crosskeys.

The judge said: “If any vehicle had pulled out or a pedestrian had walked out, you could be facing far more serious consequences. There could have been a fatal road traffic collision.”

Woodland was sentenced to a 12-month community order and must observe a curfew.

He was banned from driving for a year, sit an extended driving test, pay prosecution costs of £360 and an £85 victim surcharge.