A teenager led police on a terrifying car chase across Aberdeen, cutting over grass and pavements before officers abandoned the pursuit on safety grounds.
Police were alerted after a blue Subaru estate car was seen driving “erratically” in the Garthdee Road area.
The vehicle, being driven by Ellis Leisk, was quickly traced on Anderson Drive but failed to stop and a pursuit was declared.
The 19-year-old sped across the city at up to 50mph in residential areas, cutting across grassy areas and driving on pavements.
A pedestrian had to take evasive action at one point, and Leisk even smashed into another vehicle before officers had to abandon the chase over safety fears.
Sniffer dogs were then brought to help track the teen down.
Accused drove in ‘erratic manner’
Fiscal depute Christy Ward said the vehicle was first spotted at 9.10am on January 25 driving over a grassed area and through a red light on Garthdee Road.
Following the call to police, a “large number” of officers were deployed and took up strategic positions to “protect the public by bringing an end to the dangerous driving and to capture the perpetrator”.
At 11.05am the pursuit was declared when it was spotted and then failed to stop on Anderson Drive.
Ms Ward said: “The accused drove in an erratic manner and immediately left Anderson Drive and travelled along Seafield Road and Thorngrove Avenue.
“He failed to give way at a junction and entered onto Great Western Road before driving onto Hammerfield Avenue where he continued to drive at speed.
“He was estimated to drive at speeds up to 50mph in these 30mph residential areas.
Chase stopped over ‘safety concerns’
“He drove into the Garthdee area where, when turning into Gaitside Place, he failed to give way at a junction. This caused another road user to have to brake harshly to avoid colliding with the accused’s car.
“The accused then drove over a grassed area and a pavement area between Gaitside Drive and Garthdee Road.”
The pursuit continued onto Garthdee Road and Leisk drove the wrong way around the roundabout at the junction with South Anderson Drive.
At one point he crashed into another vehicle but did not stop.
Ms Ward said: “Due to safety concerns the pursuit was abandoned.”
The Subaru was discovered abandoned on Craigievar Terrace and a dog unit attended and found Leisk’s hat discarded close to an address on the street.
Leisk was traced nearby on Garthdee Road minutes later.
Leisk admitted charges of dangerous driving, driving while only the holder of a provisional licence and without insurance, and failing to stop and provide his details following an accident.
And Leisk also admitted a string of offences from January 24 and 25 in the early hours of the morning before the pursuit.
He pled guilty to stealing fuel from a service station on North Anderson Drive, driving without insurance, stealing a vehicle on Stoker Road, Cruden Bay, and attempted housebreaking with intent to steal also on Stoker Road.
Leisk further admitted housebreaking with intent to steal in Ellon and stealing a wallet from an insecure vehicle in Newburgh.
He also admitted breaching a curfew and failing to give police information as to the identification of the driver.
Sentence was deferred on Leisk, of HMYOI Polmont, until later this month.