A 14-YEAR-old joyrider escaped from police by driving along side streets and over pavments at speeds over 70mph, a court heard yesterday.

Police officers who pursued the teenager told Dundee Sheriff Court that they lost sight of the car he was driving during a high-speed chase through the city's streets.

The boy is accused of 17 offences during a six-week joyriding spree. The charges include three of dangerous driving, five of driving without a licence, and another five of driving without insurance, contravention of bail conditions, resisting arrest, and attempting to pervert the course of justice.

Detective Sergeant Malcolm Gibbs told the court how he had been in a car chasing the boy but made no ground on the vehicle despite driving at high speeds. He said: ``We were travelling at up to 70mph and we weren't gaining any on him.

``He had a fair start on us and we lost him as he went over a hill. He must have been travelling at speeds in excess of 70mph and, in my opinion, too fast for the conditions at the time.''

He added: ``When he came to a roundabout he just kept going without looking for any other cars. Two other vehicles had to brake sharply to avoid bumping into him.

``We were forced to brake to avoid the cars that had stopped. It was just after that we lost him. I got a very good look at the driver. I knew him from before and there is no doubt in my mind that it was the accused.''

Under cross examination by advocate Mark Stewart, for the accused, Sergeant Gibbs conceded that he did not actually see the cars on the roundabout braking. He told the court: ``We were some distance behind him so I didn't see the cars braking but they must have come to a stop somehow.''

Asked whether it could have been another youth who was driving the car, Mr Gibbs answered: ``No.''

The court then heard how the boy had been seen driving another car one month later, on March 7 this year. Constable David Small told the court that he had been patrolling on foot when a Ford Escort had pulled up on the opposite side of the road.

He said: ``I recognised the driver and I knew that an offence was being committed. I walked over to speak to the driver but he pulled away.

``We started a search of the area but we did not trace him.''

The trial continues.