Two yobs who went joyriding in a stolen Mini Cooper had to be forced off the road by a police car at the end of a high-speed chase, a court heard.

Driver James Stewart wrecked a police car and put the lives of officers and members of the public at risk during the pursuit through the east end of Glasgow.

High on alcohol and street Valium, he raced at more than 70mph in a 20mph zone, through red lights at pedestrian crossings and drove towards oncoming traffic on the wrong side of the road.

He eventually burst two tyres on the Mini by crashing into the kerb at 50mph and was finally brought to a halt in a “tactical stop” operation by an expert police driver.

Stewart, 22, of Glenfinnan Road, admitted threatening 51-year-old Glasgow primary school teacher Francis Keenan with a kitchen knife, robbing him of his car keys and stealing his Mini Cooper near Springburn health centre.

He admitted driving dangerously while under the influence of drink or drugs, repeatedly crashing into police cars and driving on the wrong side of the road forcing other motorists to take evasive action.

He also admitted causing a disturbance at Glasgow Royal Infirmary after he was taken there for treatment to a head wound he received as a result of his reckless driving on 12 August last year.

He was on bail at the time.

Along with his co-accused Steven Campbell, Stewart also admitted shoplifting £179 worth of alcohol from Tesco Extra in Maryhill.

Campbell, 22, of Cockmuir Street, Glasgow, admitted stealing Mr Keenan’s car keys and car while acting with Stewart and to racially abusing PC Vijay Munogee, .

Lord Burns sentenced Stewart to six years in prison and banned him from driving for 11-and-a-half years.

He sentenced Campbell to two years in prison, backdating both sentences to August last year when they were first remanded in custody.