A TEENAGER led police on a 100mph chase before driving into a park and crashing into barriers.

Connor MacKay went the wrong way at roundabouts and one-way streets while being pursued by the police in Brighton.

The 18-year-old went at 80mph in 30mph zones in the city and even drove into Preston Park in a bid to escape.

After hitting barriers and trying to run, he was Tasered and charged by police with dangerous driving.

MacKay, who grew up in care, has tried to “project an image of being fearless” and has 28 previous convictions for 49 offences.

But at Hove Crown Court he admitted dangerous driving, driving while banned and uninsured, and breaching a suspended sentence order.

He was jailed for one year and ten months.

Following

Richard Barton, prosecuting, said police began following MacKay’s Mercedes on the A27, mistakenly suspecting it of being stolen.

The chase then took him down the A26 through Tarring Neville to Newhaven, where he sped at up to 60mph as police gave chase.

He then drove along the A259 coast road to Brighton, racing at speeds of 100mph and using the bus lane on the opposite side of the road to escape police.

In Brighton, he went the wrong way around the pier roundabout and the wrong way along one-way streets, as a police firearms vehicle gave chase.

At Preston Park he mounted the pavement and drove into the park, but then came unstuck at the barriers.

Mr Barton said: “He was recorded in Brighton going at 80mph in a 30mph zone. While it was early in the morning there were other vehicles on the road.

“In the centre there were pedestrians about, but mercifully no one was injured.”

The incident happened in February.

MacKay, formerly of Wentworth Street, Brighton, has appeared in court for offences including joyriding, public disorder, possessing an offensive weapon, and drugs. His most recent conviction was for attempted burglary.

Attitudes

Stephen Paley, defending, said MacKay is well known to the probation service, and said the teenager’s attitudes have been shaped by his upbringing.

Mr Paley said: “He doesn’t consider himself to be vulnerable.

“He tries to project an image of being fearless and has tried to create this identity for himself.

“Largely this comes from his parents.

“It is a self-image compounded by the people around him.”

Judge David Rennie said: “You have reached the end of the road. It must be an immediate custodial sentence.You are still young, with a difficult background, but I hope you can turn things around. When you come out I hope you can draw the line under your offending and build a life for yourself. Off you go.”