A teenager sped away from police in his car just four days after he was given a driving ban for drug driving.

Adam Litke, 19, got into trouble for a second time on December 17 last year after police spotted him in his Renault Clio in Esk Street, Longtown, magistrates at Carlisle's Rickergate courts complex heard.

He had immediately sped off, reaching speeds of 50mph in a 30mph zone, and then 80mph as he drove on the C1003 Longtown to Easton Road, the court heard.

The defendant, of Rayfield, Longtown, pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, driving while disqualified, and driving without insurance and while over the cannabis drug drive limit.

Pam Ward, prosecuting, outlined the details of the case.

She described how after seeing the defendant in his car police realised that he was banned from the road but he reacted to their interest by accelerating away.

As they followed him, the officers noticed him breaking the speed limit and swerving through bends.

Mrs Ward said: "The driver accelerated down the busy street, with parked vehicles, and with people going into and out of shops. Other drivers had to stop as he forced his way through, travelling at 50mph in a 30mph zone."

The officers then saw the defendant's car reach a speed of 80mph as he drove along the main road with a 60mph limit.

On a left-hand bend, he finally lost control of his car and crashed into a ditch, said Mrs Ward.

The prosecutor added: "He said [to the officers]: 'I'm sorry. I'm going to prison; I'm disqualified from driving.”

At the time, said Mrs Ward, the defendant had just started a 12 week driving ban.

Keith Thomas, for the defendant, accepted the case was more suitable for Carlisle Crown Court.

Magistrates said their sentencing powers were inadequate and sent the case there for a hearing on March 17.

It will be heard before a judge.

Mr Thomas said that until the conviction in December, Litke had no convictions.

Granting the defendant bail, magistrates imposed an interim driving ban.