A banned motorist was caught at the wheel of a car after a row with his girlfriend, a court has heard.

Stephen Lines attracted police attention when he skidded to a halt at a junction in his Vauxhall Frontera.

An officer who recognised him tried to open his car door but he drove off, Worcester Crown Court was told.

He was chased by a patrol car into a cul-de-sac. He ran from the vehicle along with his passenger but was caught in a garden, said prosecutor Kevin Saunders.

A police mechanic found the Vauxhall's foot brakes did not work and the car could only be stopped by using the handbrake.

Lines, aged 31, of Orchid Court, Malvern, pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, driving while banned and while uninsured.

Judge Alistair McCreath said it was in the public interest to try and get Lines to kick his long-standing drug habit, which got him into trouble.

He deferred sentence until July 11 on condition that Lines continued to work with a probation-run drug intervention programme.

The judge, who also imposed an interim driving ban, said Lines had "worked out his frustration" after a silly row with his girlfriend by taking her car and driving it.

He warned the defendant that if he breached the drug rehabilitation he would go to prison but if he complied he could expect a non-custodial penalty along with a disqualification of at least 12 months.

Lines had twice been previously banned, the last being for two years on March 7, 2006.

Mr Saunders said Lines was spotted by police in Wells Road, Malvern, on September 9.

As he made his escape, a policeman had to jump out of the way when the Vauxhall was driven around the patrol car.

A check revealed there was no fluid in the car's brake reservoir.

Lines' behaviour was "foolish and reckless" but he had not been involved in an accident or caused injury, said Tariq Shakoor, defending.

He had been having drug therapy and there were signs of a life change. His partner was now six months pregnant.