A 12-year-old schoolboy has appeared at Hemel Hempstead Youth Court after comprehensively wrecking his dad's Ford Mondeo in a death-defying 10-mile chase with police.
The lad, who witnesses say could barely see over the steering wheel, fled his family home in the car after rowing with parents about making late-night phone calls.
The 4ft 10ins tearaway had collided with a wall and burst one of the car's rear tyres before even leaving his drive. Out on the road, he forced oncoming traffic to swerve out of his way and crashed several more times without stopping.
A passing taxi driver called the police, and they were soon in hot pursuit. Tailing officers said they were showered in sparks from the exposed rear wheel rim and engulfed in clouds of smoke.
The boy was eventually captured after losing control yet again and rolling the car three times. He emerged from the wreckage unscathed and collapsed at the feet of police.
At his court appearance, he admitted taking the car without consent, failing to stop for police, driving without car insurance for young drivers and driving without a licence.
The hearing was adjourned before sentencing. It is uncertain what effect his convictions (if any) will have on the price of future motor insurance quotes.
Hoot spokesman Mike Page, who specialises in car insurance for young drivers, said: "There's young drivers and then there's young drivers. Obviously I wouldn't be able to find this lad a cheap car insurance policy because of his age.
"However, it sounds like he is going to need quite a bit of practice before he can pass his driving test anyhow."