A 15-year-old boy has admitted going on an “extremely dangerous” joyride in a stolen car.

The Brighton teenager, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was arrested after a police chase across the eastern side of the city.

The boy raced through Bevendean and Whitehawk with police saying he had been seen speeding, going through red lights and no entry signs and ignoring traffic signals.

After admitting dangerous driving, taking the VW Golf without consent, driving without insurance or a licence the boy was told by Worthing Youth Court that he could face a custodial sentence.

Police officers first saw the car, which had been taken without permission in Bevendean, just before 1am on Sunday, August 27. When the boy sped off they had to chase him for 12 minutes through Bevendean and Whitehawk before the Golf was cornered by police and the boy arrested.

A second 15-year-old boy was a passenger in the car during the dangerous chase.

After the boy’s arrest PC Louise Brearley, of the Brighton and Hove investigations team, said: “The manner of driving in this case was extremely dangerous, putting not only the driver at risk but also his passenger, other road users and the officers who were attempting to stop him.

“Tactics were used to bring the pursuit to a safe conclusion and thankfully no one was hurt.”

A spokesman for Sussex Police said at the time: “Roads policing unit officers located the vehicle in The Avenue, where it made off at speed. Other units arrived and there was a police pursuit in the area which lasted about 12 minutes.

“During this time the vehicle was seen speeding and going through red lights, no entry signs and ignoring other traffic signals.

“Police eventually boxed the vehicle in. This caused the Golf to stop in Warren Road at the junction with Tenantry Down Road.

“The two occupants attempted to make off on foot before they were detained and arrested.”

The boy appeared at Worthing Youth Court on Thursday last week.

He pleaded guilty to driving the grey VW Golf dangerously on several roads in Bevendean and Whitehawk.

He also admitted taking the vehicle from his home address without consent, using a motor vehicle without consent and driving a vehicle otherwise than in accordance with a licence.

The court ordered pre- sentence reports to be prepared before the boy is punished for his crimes and he was warned he could face a custodial sentence next month.

Under section two of the Road Traffic Act 1988, dangerous driving is defined as “when driving falls far below the standard expected of a careful and competent driving” and carries a maximum sentence of two years.

Factors that would result in a more serious sentence include driving at excessive speeds and in built-up areas.

Magistrates could also take a dim view of his actions because he was being pursued by police, showed a disregard for others’ safety and because of the prolonged nature of the bad driving.