An amateur rally driver who let a 16-year-old drive his car, resulting in a mile-long police chase, has been handed a ban.

Charlee Smith, who also has no licence, said letting the teenager get behind the wheel was the stupidest thing he has ever done.

The 18-year-old, of Coxheath, admitted four charges of allowing the boy to drive the vehicle, and driving the car himself, without a licence or insurance.

Maidstone Magistrates’ Court heard how Smith, who races in rallies in his spare time, bought the Fiat Punto in July with the intention of doing it up.

Upon purchasing it the previous owner said he did not want it on his land, so Smith drove the car 200 yards and left it in a lay-by on Sutton Road.

The next day he went back to the vehicle with the intention of loading it onto his uncle’s truck but was convinced by the 16-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, to let him drive.

Alongside two passengers the pair got into the vehicle and drove towards Maidstone.

They came to the attention of police following a spate of dangerous driving and a pursuit ensued when the vehicle reached South Park Road.

Smith’s car continued into Shepway, driving over the roundabout onto Plains Avenue before finally coming to a stop in Cranborne Avenue, almost a mile away, with everyone inside arrested.

Kate Hunter, defending, said Smith had told the driver to stop and immediately admitted the car was his to the police.

She added Smith, who is working towards getting a full licence, even came clean in interview about driving the night before.

Sentencing chairman of the bench Mike Bean told Smith his actions had put many people at risk and he had shown blatant disregard for the law.

Smith was given six points for each insurance breach, meaning he is banned from driving for six months. He was fined £460 and must pay £85 costs, a £20 victim surcharge and a £150 criminal courts charge.

The 16-year-old will appear in court on Monday, September 21, charged with dangerous driving, failing to stop for police and driving without insurance or a licence.