Learner driver Luke Brian Lee in 100mph police chase, Leicester court told

A learner driver was involved in a 100mph police chase, ignoring red traffic lights and forcing other motorists to move out of his way.

Luke Brian Lee (19) was behind the wheel of a high performance BMW 330d when he zoomed past an unmarked police car on Lubbesthorpe Way, Leicester's outer ring road.

CCTV footage of the two-mile chase was shown in Leicester Crown Court.

Lee ignored three sets of red traffic lights, including temporary road works on a humped back bridge, which forced oncoming drivers to take evasive action.

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Alan Murphy, prosecuting, said the incident began at 10.30pm on October 9 last year, on a 50mph dual carriageway section of Lubbesthorpe Way, between Braunstone Town and Thorpe Astley.

As the patrolling officers headed north towards the A47, Lee's car, with three passengers, overtook them.

The police vehicle reached in excess of 100mph to keep up.

Mr Murphy said: "As they entered a 40mph zone the defendant reduced speed to 55mph.

"The officers activated their siren and blue lights approaching the A47 roundabout, but he didn't slow down. He increased to 70mph.

"At the junction of Ratby Lane, the traffic lights showed red when he went through them."

He drove slowly through temporary red lights over a bridge and then went through red lights at a junction with Wembley Road.

Lee, of Piper Close, New Parks, thwarted the police driver's attempt to block him off from a housing estate by mounting a pavement, before pulling over and giving up.

When arrested, he said: "I panicked. I haven't got a licence. I'm sorry."

In interview, he admitted: "I was just being a prat, driving like an absolute idiot." Mr Murphy said: "He said he wanted to get away from the blue flashing lights and went into his 'own zone'."

Lee pleaded guilty to driving dangerously.

Leicester Crown Court heard he suffered a major head injury in a road accident in October 2010 and still receives rehabilitative therapy.

He was awarded substantial compensation, which enabled him to buy the car from his uncle.

But medical reports stated his head injury could have affected his cognitive ability in relation to the offence.

He was given a 12-month detention sentence, suspended for two years, and will have to attend a 30-session programme as approved by the probation service.

Lee was also banned from driving for two years.

Sentencing, Judge Simon Hammond told him: "You've escaped custody by a whisker and it's because I think the injuries you sustained would have had an effect on you."