A “wannabe gangster” stole his dad’s Nissan Micra and led police on a high speed chase.

Jack Holmes mounted the pavement in order to avoid shredding the car’s tyres on a police stinger. The officer who laid the trap had to jump out of the way to avoid the 19-year-old’s Nissan.

But after hearing the teenager had entered early guilty pleas, had no previous convictions and was remorseful, Judge Robert Pawson spared him an immediate prison sentence.

However, before handing down a sentence four months’ imprisonment suspended for 18 months and a two year driving ban, Judge Pawson condemned the youngster’s behaviour.

He said: “I should think your parents are at their wits end. You’ve caused them so much stress.

“Do you love your parents? Well, it’s a funny way to show it. You’re behaving like a wannabe gangster.”

Swindon Crown Court heard Holmes had taken his dad’s 56-plate Nissan Micra on February 5, 2020. He’d failed to stop for police, taking his three friends in the car on a high speed joyride around Penhill, Moredon and Pinehurst.

At one point he had mounted a kerb in order to avoid a police stinger device. He had hit 70mph in a 30 zone and driven down a footpath through the park between Tovey Road and Pinehurst Road.

Judge Pawson said Holmes’ claim that he had mounted the kerb to avoid the stinger because he didn’t want to damage his dad’s new tyres was “poppycock”. “It’s pathetic,” the judge added.

Holmes, of Acacia Grove, Pinehurst, pleaded guilty at the magistrates’ court to aggravated vehicle taking, driving without a licence or insurance.

As part of his four month suspended sentence he must abide by a three month curfew, complete up to 25 rehabilitation activity days and pay £450 costs.