A LEARNER driver has appeared in court on a dangerous driving charge after allegedly leading police on a chase along main roads and country lanes in the Ilton area.

Uninsured teenager Raymond Baker was said to have driven a Nissan Micra at excessive speeds, careering round blind bends at 60-70mph and went straight across a main road without slowing down.

Baker, 18, of Compton Dundon, was charged with driving a vehicle dangerously on Frost Lane in Ilton on October 22.

He was also alleged to have driven without insurance or a licence when he appeared in the dock before Somerset Magistrates.

Prosecutor Julyan Stephens told the court police first saw the defendant driving on the old A303 road at 11.10pm.

Following a pursuit it eventually pulled into a layby in Ilton after a number of miles, the court was told.

The defendant did not enter pleas to any of the offences.

The court directed him to stand trial at Taunton Crown Court as the case was so serious.

They adjourned the case until January 9 when Baker must appear before a preliminary hearing at Taunton and until then he was released on unconditional bail.