A teenager who led police on a car chase "panicked", a court has heard.
Matthew Alexander Reid Smith was driving in breach of his restricted licence in the early hours of December 27 when police tried to pull him over.
He was driving in a 50km/h section of urban road,but was speeding when police tried to catch up with him, police prosecutor Sergeant David Grey said.
Smith initially slowed when police activated the patrol car's lights, but then accelerated away. He then took police on a chase, at one point reaching speeds of 105km/h.
During the chase, Smith had to brake hard, causing his wheels to lock and his car to skid across the opposite lane and on to a grass verge, Mr Grey said.
When he eventually stopped, a breath test showed him to have 392mcg of alcohol in his system. Under-20 year olds are not allowed to drive after drinking any alcohol.
Smith told police: "I panicked. I accelerated when I should have braked."
He pleaded guilty in the Whanganui District Court on Tuesday to dangerous driving, failing to stop for red and blue flashing lights, and having alcohol in his system while being a person aged under 20.
