Dangerous driver hands himself in

A judge said Tahau Tewake was lucky he didn't kill anyone during an early morning dangerous driving spree through Whanganui.

The 19-year-old pleaded guilty to failing to stop and dangerous driving when he appeared in the Whanganui District Court on Tuesday.

At about 2am on August 21, Tewake was seen by Police driving along Victoria Ave in Whanganui at 100km/h.

Police Sergeant Stephen Butler said Tewake then drove down Liverpool St where he "failed to stop at several intersections".

He ended up at Cullinane College where he "skidded around on the gravel area" before driving off along Somme Parade where he was clocked at 140km/h.

At times he turned his lights off in a bid to evade Police. He handed himself in two days later.

Defence lawyer Jamie Waugh said Tewake didn't initially realise Police were following him.

"He thought it was someone following him for another reason."

Judge Philip Crayton said Tewake was lucky he didn't kill anyone.

"A moment's hesitation. A moment's inattention.... then somebody would've died," Judge Crayton said.

"Two days later you realised the trouble you were in and you did the right thing."

Judge Crayton sentenced him to 120 hours community work and disqualified him from driving for nine months.