TEENAGE joyrider Sheldon Petrie is a menace to himself and others.Petrie, who has repeatedly driven while disqualified, is today back in jail after his latest police car chase which saw him careering through the streets of Ipswich.

TEENAGE joyrider Sheldon Petrie is a menace to himself and others.

Petrie, who has repeatedly driven while disqualified, is today back in jail after his latest police car chase which saw him careering through the streets of Ipswich.

During the chase Petrie, who was nearly twice the drink drive alcohol limit, mounted a pavement and overtook a bus on a blind corner.

His latest crazy ride came after the 19-year-old had only been out of a young offenders' institute for less than a month.

It began when he decided to take his mother's Rover car for a spin.

A police chase started when officers signalled to the banned drive to pull over for a routine document check between Yarmouth Road and London Road in Ipswich.

Petrie looked as if he was going to stop but then he accelerated away mounting the pavement to pass evening rush hour traffic on the inside, said Amanda Rippon, prosecuting at Ipswich Crown Court.

Despite the rain and overcast conditions, Petrie "sped" up Crane Hill at 50mph and turned into Robin Drive residential area.

Petrie whose 16-year-old girlfriend sat terrified by his side, overtook a double decker bus round a blind bend and drove into Kingfisher Avenue.

Ms Rippon said the Rover still being pursued by police changed direction and was soon back in Robin Drive where Petrie lost control of the vehicle and spun 360 degrees. The car stalled facing the oncoming police car.

The court heard that Petrie's girlfriend was "upset and frightened".

Petrie, of Montgomery Road and formerly of Hawke Road, said to the officer "that was a ****ing good chase."

He then told the officer he was a disqualified driver and agreed he had driven dangerously that day, January 21 this year.

At the police station Petrie became "excited" jumped up and punched a hole in the ceiling. He admitted criminal damage.

It was at this point that officers smelt alcohol on his breath and tests revealed that Petrie had 65 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath, almost twice the legal limit.

Petrie admitted drink driving and also having no car insurance. The court heard that he had been jailed for two years almost a year ago today after admitting more than 60 motoring offences.

At that time he was found guilty by an Ipswich Crown Court jury of driving while disqualified and dangerous driving.

He admitted stealing cars and driving under the influence of drugs and agreed most of the offences were committed while he was on bail.

He asked for a total of 65 similar offences to be taken into consideration.

Rupert Overbury, mitigating, said his client's offending was due to associating with "bad influences" and drinking heavily.

Judge John Devaux said it was a wonder no one was injured or killed.

He sentenced Petrie to a total of 15 months in prison and disqualified him from driving for four years.

Petrie was also ordered to serve 300 of the 326 days remaining on licence from his previous spell in jail.