A TRAINEE mechanic who led police on a chase through Welshpool has been fined.
Liam Head, 22 appeared at the town's magistrates court and pleaded guilty to driving without due care and attention.
The court heard that on July 12, at around 1.30am the attention of officers on patrol was drawn to a blue Ford Focus which looked like it was being driven at excessive speed around a roundabout.
Justin Espie, prosecuting, said that the speed exceeded 30 miles per hour, and while officers were unable to record an exact speed, they were having to drive at very fast speeds to keep up.
Eventually, they found the vehicle parked up on an estate near the livestock market.
Owain Jones, defending, said Head, of Caradoc View, Hanwood, Shrewsbury, had never been in trouble before and was fearful of the impact it would have on his career as a mechanic.
"He is remorseful and ashamed of his actions", Mr Jones said.
"This happened at around 1.30am to 2am, and thankfully there were no pedestrians, there was no traffic and no harm was caused."
After hearing glowing character references on Head's behalf, chair of the magistrates bench Dr Rachel Jones handed him a £266 fine and gave him six points on his driving licence.
He will also pay £85 court costs and a £34 victim surcharge.