A DRIVER high on cannabis led police on a high speed chase along the York Outer Ring Road, the city's magistrates heard.

Harry Ashcroft, 18, swayed from side to side and struggled to stand and answer police questions when the pursuit ended at a farm gate, said Katy Varlow, prosecuting.

He had broken the speed limit as he drove from the Wetherby Road roundabout south down the A1237 to the Woodthorpe roundabout before trying to get onto the A64.

Finding his way blocked by roadworks, he took the Askham Bryan turning at Copmanthorpe roundabout, went through the village and turned onto a farm track where the farm gate blocked his way.

A drug test gave a cannabis products reading of three times the legal limit.

"I'm really sorry," he said, almost breaking into tears as he represented himself at court.

Ashcroft, of Hud Hill, Halifax, pleaded guilty to drug driving. He was fined £240 with £85 prosecution costs and a £30 statutory surcharge and banned from driving for 18 months.

Ms Varlow said police initially started following Ashcroft's Corsa because one of its front lights wasn't working as it drove out of town along Wetherby Road in Acomb just after midnight on May 15.

Just after the junction with Beckfield Lane, the police officer signalled Ashcroft to stop, but he kept driving and drove away at speed.

At the Copmanthorpe roundabout, he narrowly missed a HGV coming off the A64 as he took the Askham Bryan turning.

The lorry driver had to take evasive action to avoid a collision.

When Ashcroft's escape was stopped by the farm gate and police went to the car, the two men inside held up their hands.

Ashcroft smelt so strongly of cannabis, he was given a roadside drug test, which he failed.

He had no previous convictions.