TWO Ipswich joyriders are paying the penalty today after crashing a stolen car during a police chase, narrowly missing people nearby.Ashley Proctor, of Pine Drive, Purdis Farm, was given a 12-week sentence suspended for 12 months by Ipswich magistrates after being a passenger in the vehicle.

TWO Ipswich joyriders are paying the penalty today after crashing a stolen car during a police chase, narrowly missing people nearby.

Ashley Proctor, of Pine Drive, Purdis Farm, was given a 12-week sentence suspended for 12 months by Ipswich magistrates after being a passenger in the vehicle.

Meanwhile, the 17-year-old driver, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was sent to a young offenders' institution for four months after admitting aggravated vehicle taking and dangerous driving, and not having a driving licence or insurance.

David Hutson told South East Suffolk Magistrates' Court that Proctor, who pleaded guilty to aggravated vehicle taking, was a passenger in the Vauxhall Corsa on July 10.

Mr Hutson said police were sent to the area of Ulster Avenue and Henniker Road in Ipswich after officers received reports of someone driving erratically.

Four people were in the car including 18-year-old Proctor, although only two had been caught by the time Proctor appeared in court.

Officers spotted the Corsa and began to follow it, but it sped off around the corner of Henniker Road.

Police put their vehicle's flashing blue lights on and pursued the car, which accelerated towards the bottom of Henniker Road.

Mr Hutson said the Corsa went up on to the kerb before hitting a bollard and a mound of earth close to where members of the public were.

Proctor, a passenger in the car, stayed in the vehicle and was arrested at the scene. At least two of the other occupants fled from the scene. The damage caused to the car meant that it had to be written off.

The court heard that when Proctor was interviewed by police he said he got in the car when it was driven up to him, even though he knew it was stolen.

Neil Saunders, mitigating, described the teenager's actions as “impulsive” and “inappropriate”.

In addition to his suspended sentence Proctor was given a 12-month supervision order by magistrates and ordered to do 100 hours unpaid work.

He must pay compensation of �100 for the damage to the Corsa and costs of �30.

He has also been disqualified for driving for 12 months.