A JOYRIDER lead police in a high speed pursuit for almost 20 miles before he ploughed his stolen vehicle into a field, a court heard.

James Ayres, 17, stole a vehicle from a council depot before launching an hour long spree on busy roads.

Ayres, a minister's son, drove from Overtown in Lanarkshire before being arrested when he lost control of the vehicle in West Calder, West Lothian.

A hearing a Hamilton Sheriff Court saw Ayres admit driving dangerously and failing to stop when pursued by police officers in a marked police vehicle on May 14 this year.

He also admitted a further two charges of driving with no insurance and driving without a full license.

Fiscal depute John Gildea told the court how Ayres, of Law, Lanarkshire, had ignored police efforts to stop him driving.

He said: "Police followed him on the A71 from Overtown in Lanarkshire to West Calder in a bid top get him to stop.

"He was driving at excessive speeds and on a least one occasion crossed into the flow of oncoming traffic.

"Police were only able to arrest the accused when he lost control of the vehicle and crashed into a field.

"Police sniffer dogs were then used after the accused attempted to hide in the field but he was soon apprehended."

Defence lawyer Hugh Trainer said his client had panicked when followed by police.

He said: "He is a 17-year-old boy from a respectable background. His father is a minister and also has his own joinery business.

"This was a complete moment of madness which escalated and one which he deeply regrets.

"In the fear and panic of being followed by police cars complete with sirens and flashing lights, he took the decision to continue driving.

"By making the decision not to stop he accepts that he caused the whole incident to increasingly worsen."

Sheriff Ray Small called for a full range of reports on Ayres and deferred sentence until November 28.