A scooter-riding 15-year-old ran two red lights and drove on the wrong side of the road as he tried to evade police during a high-speed chase through Forfar.
The dangerous pursuit saw the boy reach speeds of up to 50 miles an hour through the town centre on October 3 last year.
Police tried to stop the boy, who is now aged 16 but cannot be named for legal reasons, after they noticed him driving erratically at speed.
Despite activating their blue lights, the youngster failed to stop his 125cc scooter and led police on a chase through Myre Road, Station Road, Craig o’ Loch Road, West High Street, East High Street and North Street before he got away.
However, he was caught half an hour later when police officers saw him walking in the town.
Appearing at Forfar Sheriff Court, he admitted that he drove the scooter at excessive speeds and weaved in and out of moving traffic in a built up area.
He also admitted narrowly avoiding colliding with another vehicle and failing to stop when required to do so by police officers.
He further admitted that he didn’t have a licence to ride the scooter or insurance.
Depute fiscal Kirsten Thomson said the boy increased his speed when he saw a police car activate its lights.
“He increased his speed to between 40 and 50 mph and turned south down Craig o’ Loch road where he failed to obey a red light.
“Then on West High Street he drove on the wrong side of the carriageway for around 50 metres and failed to obey a second red light.
“Due to going through the red light he almost collided with a van, weaving around the rear of the van.
“He was thereafter lost to sight but was traced by police 30 minutes later.
“After he was stopped by police he admitted driving the scooter and then took officers to where he had parked the vehicle.
“He was cautioned and charged and the scooter was seized.”
Sheriff Robert Vaughan deferred sentence until May 12 for a criminal justice social work report and also banned the teenager from obtaining a driving licence in the interim period.