A JUDGE'S decision not to jail a teenager with a string of convictions has been met with anger by Worcester residents.

Harry Milton-Hossak was told by a judge he had escaped jail by the skin of his teeth after police dashcam footage showed him leading officers on a high-speed car chase through Worcester.

On Friday, Worcester Crown Court heard that the 19-year-old has a string of previous convictions including burglary, battery, theft, sending threatening messages, harassment, witness intimidation, being in possession of a bladed article, taking a motor vehicle without the owner’s consent, failing to stop, driving without a licence and failing to comply with a community order.

Despite his record he has yet to serve a custodial sentence and once again managed to avoid prison on Friday.

Milton-Hossak, of Vicarage Court, Worcester, had already admitted dangerous driving, driving whilst disqualified and using a car without third party insurance following the chase on September 5 last year.

He was sentenced to 12 months in a Young Offender Institution suspended for 15 months, and disqualified from driving for 30 months.

Commenting on the decision not to jail him, on the Worcester News website, reader Teme Player wrote: This is unbelievable given the catalogue of previous form. What on earth is going on with the judiciary?"

Reflector added: "Unbelievable! How can someone with such a record escape a custodial sentence yet again?"