This is the moment a 22-year-old man leads Sussex cops on a high-speed chase through built-up areas in Brighton.

The police said the driver, named as Andrew Smith, drove the wrong way along an A27 slip road during the car chase on 5th September last year.

Smith only had a provisional licence but was observed overtaking other cars at speeds of 70mph in 30mph zones.

The Sussex Police said on Facebook: “Dangerous driver leads police on pursuit through Brighton. Watch how a young driver takes a number of significant risks as he leads police on a pursuit through Brighton.

“Andrew Smith put his own life – and others’ – in danger after he took his mother’s car without her consent.

“This sort of behaviour will not be tolerated and we will continue to take action against those who misuse our roads.”

The police said they were forced to ram the vehicle to bring him to a stop after driving the wrong way along a slip road. He took his mum’s car after she went to London.

The police said he failed to stop when flagged down by officers.

Judge Martin Huseyin said: “The driving was so bad he got pretty close to killing himself and the passenger.

“He was liable to hit someone head on, there was a mortal risk.”

Defence lawyer Jennifer Gray said the defendant had no previous convictions and was going through a “torrid time” due to his mental health issues.

Smith’s mother said he has attention deficit and hyperactive disorder (ADHD) and oppositional defiant disorder (ODD).

He was reportedly at a funeral for an aunt he loved dearly earlier that day.

Gray pointed out that his disorders make him prone to bad decision-making and refusing help, adding that it was a “wake up call” for him to seek professional help for his mental health.

Lewes Crown Court handed down an eight-month suspended prison sentence and Smith was told to complete 20 sessions with the probation service, and was put under curfew from 8pm to 7am for three months.