TERRIFIED motorists were forced off the road during a late night high speed police chase through Southampton city centre.

Sean Bray, who doesn’t hold a full driving licence, raced through several red lights at some of the city’s busiest junctions at speeds of 70mph – more than double the 30mph limit.

The dramatic chase on Monday night came to a stop only when Bray lost control of the MG he was driving, spinning 180 degrees and skidding backwards on to the pavement and into a road traffic sign.

Despite the high speed crash, the 24- year-old continued to rev the engine, forcing a police officer to smash the driver’s window with his baton to snatch the keys from the ignition.

Yesterday at Southampton Magistrates’ Court, Bray, of Howards Grove, Shirley, Southampton, pleaded guilty to driving dangerously, driving without a licence and driving without insurance.

The court heard how Bray was spotted by police at 11.45pm, driving at speeds of 70mph along Northam Road, and watched him race through the red lights at the junction with Britannia Road, showing no evidence of braking.

He then tore through the red lights at the Six Dials junction at more than 65mph and along St Andrew’s Road, where he was seen “nudging” forward towards the cars in front, forcing them to get out of his way.

The court was told that one Fiat driver was so concerned that they tried to mount the pavement to get out of Bray’s way.

Prosecuting, Nicholas Hoyle said: “This is one of the busiest junctions in Southampton. Traffic merging into its path had to stop, otherwise there would have been a collision with potentially serious consequences.”

Bray then raced through the red lights at the Charlotte’s Place roundabout before he lost control of the car and spun 180 degrees, ending up faceto- face with the police car that was pursing him.

His passenger jumped out of the car and ran off but as Bray continued to try to rev the engine, officers were able to arrest him.

Bray, who is in custody, will be sentenced later this month.