Learner driver Tyler Nichols could be jailed after dangerous driving along A47 at King’s Lynn, Walton Highway and Marshland St James

A teenage learner driver who tore dangerously along the A47 in a high-speed police pursuit could be jailed.

Tyler Nichols, 18, sped away from officers and forced numerous drivers off the road before crashing during the shocking incident on August 15 last year.

He appeared at Lynn Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, where he pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, possession of a Class B drug, and driving without insurance or a licence.

Shortly after 11am on the date of the offences, two officers patrolling the A47 received intelligence that Nichols was driving a Vauxhall Corsa while only holding a provisional licence.

They attempted to stop him near the Shell garage off the Pullover roundabout, but he sped away in the direction of Wisbech.

While passing the Walton Highway area, Nichols, of School Lane in Northwold, forced another driver off the road and onto a grass verge - before doing the same to a number of other road users.

Another driver then had to make an emergency stop to avoid crashing into Nichols, and the officers were forced to give up their pursuit on safety grounds.

However, soon afterwards, another officer spotted Nichols’ vehicle approaching along Goose Lane at Marshland St James.

Nichols accelerated towards the officer, forcing them to reverse in order to avoid a collision. The court heard the officer was left in “shock”.

A collision was reported a short while later, and Nichols was found in the passenger seat of his car.

He said he was “sorry”, and that he had switched seats and deserted his car keys in a nearby field because he feared the Corsa would be confiscated.

During a search of the car, officers uncovered 25g of cannabis.

The seriousness of Nichols’ offences mean he faces a starting point of 36 weeks in custody.

Magistrates have asked the probation service to carry out a pre-sentence report, and he will return to court on May 1 to learn his fate.

Nichols has been released on unconditional bail, and has been handed an interim driving ban which will last for six months or until he is sentenced.