A teenager who led police on a high-speed chase in a stolen car along the Acle Straight has been banned from driving for 12 months.

Nathan Drewery, 18, from Tottington Close, Bowthorpe, Norwich, drove at speeds of up to 100mph in a 60mph area and finally crashed the car into a lamppost, Norwich magistrates heard yesterday.

Drewery had previously admitted aggravated vehicle taking, speeding, failing to stop for a police officer, and driving without insurance or a licence.

He also previously admitted two charges of animal cruelty after two sheep in his care died from neglect.

Prosecuting, Anna Crayford said the stolen car was previously taken from the driveway of an 85-year-old man.

She said: 'At 2.20am, on December 4 last year, police were told that a stolen car was heading towards Great Yarmouth on the A47. They got behind the Vauxhall Astra and indicated for it to stop but it accelerated away, at speeds reaching 110mph. Police eventually used a stinger to stop it and it crashed into a lamppost. Drewery said in interview that he had 'floored it' in panic. He said he was told where the stolen car would be.'

Catherine Girvan, prosecuting for Norfolk County Council trading standards, said Drewery was paid by their owner to look after animals kept on a field in Saxlingham Nethergate.

She said: 'Two of the lambs he was responsible for died and two others survived but were very thin.

'Trading standards got involved in June last year following a complaint from the public. An improvement notice was served, but no improvements were made and another complaint was made in July. Trading standards officers found a pony and about 23 sheep in a small pen with no water and little shade. Two sheep had died and were emaciated and all the animals were suffering.'

The court heard from the probation service that Drewery took the car out of boredom, and did not realise how stupid it was. He had told the owner of the animals that he had previous experience, which he hadn't, and had not intended to mistreat the animals.

Rob Pollington, for Drewery, said he was only 17 when the offences were committed. 'He is a naive person in relation to the animal cruelty charge and desperately sorry for what happened,' he said.

Drewery must do 200 hours unpaid work and was banned from dealing with non-domestic animals for 12 months.