A carpenter who drove through nine red traffic lights during a police chase has been jailed for 18 months.

Benjamin Wood raced across the Seven Dials roundabout in Brighton at 70mph as he tried to escape in a stolen Ford Fiesta after a night out drinking with friends, Hove Crown Court heard.

Officers in an unmarked police car spotted the 20-year-old speeding in New England Street, Brighton, at 11.40pm on October 5.

The car's on-board video camera recorded what happened as he drove off at speed when they put on their blue lights and sirens. Jeremy Cave, prosecuting, said Wood's speed as he crossed the roundabout at Seven Dials was recorded at 70mph.

He continued along Vernon Terrace and Montpelier Terrace at 50mph before turning into Western Road.

Wood, of Elizabeth Place, Sompting, headed into the city centre, where people were on their way home from pubs and clubs, at up to 50mph.

He drove down North Street at 57mph and barely slowed as he ignored red traffic lights at Old Steine before racing along St James's Street.

The chase continued along Marine Parade as Wood turned back on himself and headed up West Street and Queen's Road at 60mph.

It came to an end when he skidded into Spring Gardens and hit the kerb.

He jumped out and tried to run off but was caught nearby a few moments later.

Mr Cave said: "At times he drove on the wrong side of the road and two other drivers had to get out of his way.

"He drove over speed humps and went through nine sets of red traffic lights.

"Officers had to use their Captor spray to restrain him when they caught him in North Street."

Breath tests later showed that he was almost one and half times the legal drink-drive limit.

Wood, who has never passed a driving test, admitted aggravated vehicle taking and drink-driving.

He has four previous convictions, including one for aggravated vehicle taking in 2001.

Recorder Anthony Mayhew sentenced Wood to a total of 18 months in a young offenders' institution.

He was banned from driving for three years and ordered to take an extended driving test when the ban expires.