A TEENAGER has been sentenced for leading officers on what could be one of the slowest police chases to end up in court.

On Thursday, April 19, Owen Collinson failed to make a get away after taking a tractor from his grandfather’s farm, where he lives and works, and embarking upon a drunken joy ride.

The 19-year-old disqualified driver had been drinking vodka and cans before making “a silly decision” to take his friend for a drive on the red McCormick tractor.

Police were called at around 11pm to reports of a two young men drinking and driving the vehicle around Skelton.

Officers caught up with the tractor at the junction of Marske Road and the A174 and, with sirens blaring and blue lights flashing, attempted to pull its driver over.

Collinson had other ideas and took off, trundling through the centre of Marske and along the Coast Road between Marske and Redcar before finally giving up his vehicle and attempting to flee on foot.

He ran along a nearby beach towards the sea before falling down and being apprehended by officers who could smell the alcohol on his breath and arrested him after a breath test proved positive.

Collinson appeared at Teesside Magistrates Court on Thursday and pleaded guilty to four offences relating to drink driving, driving while disqualified, driving with no licence and driving with no insurance.

Andrew Foster, mitigating, said several people, including a GP and serving police officer, had provided Collinson – of Garth Holme Farm, Carlin How – with glowing personal references, adding: “He made a silly mistake and one that will not be repeated.”

He was handed an eight week prison sentence, suspended for 12 months, disqualified from driving for 14 months and ordered to complete 20 rehabilitation days. He was ordered to pay costs of £200.