A NETHERTON man left two people needing hospital treatment for whiplash injuries when he crashed a stolen car during a police chase.

Laurence McNeill hit two cars before jumping out of the powerful Mazda R8 without applying the handbrake and it then rolled into the third vehicle.

Rhyddian James, prosecuting, told Wolverhampton Crown Court two of the vehicles were written off by the 22-year-old, who tried to run away from the scene but he was pursued and caught by the officers.

Recorder Christopher Donnellan QC told McNeill: "You were trying to evade the police because you knew you were in a stolen vehicle.

"You showed no sense at all. You thought you could outrun the police and that is how people die."

The Recorder said McNeill had been overtaking a line of cars in the face of oncoming traffic and other drivers were forced to take action to avoid being hit by the stolen Mazda which had been taken from a house in Kates Hill, Dudley.

He added: "It is fortunate your speed was not great in the circumstances but two people still had to go to hospital for treatment for whiplash, you then left your car rolling to cause further damage."

McNeill, of Swan Street, admitted driving dangerously, without insurance or a licence. He had denied handling the Mazda knowing it had been stolen but he was convicted after a trial.

He was given a six month jail term suspended for a year, ordered to carry out 100 hours unpaid work in the community and disqualified from driving for 12 months.

Roy Paterson, defending, said McNeill maintained he had paid £600 for the Mazda as a gift for his partner - a carer who worked unsociable hours.

He said he panicked when he spotted the police officers adding: "He knows he should have stopped and he didn't. He did not appreciate the consequences of his actions to other road users."

Mr Paterson said McNeill, a man of previous good character, realised he could have caused far more serious injuries as a result of his decision to drive away from the officers.