A DRIVER who may be the oldest boy racer in town hit speeds of 80mpg while being chased by cops for car cruising.

Halesowen man Felipe Vaz, aged 32, who went through 11 sets of traffic lights on red while trying to shake off pursuing police officers has avoided a spell behind bars.

Vaz accelerated away after ignoring a request to stop after he was spotted racing two other cars, Wolverhampton Crown Court was told.

Vaz was breaking a High Court injunction banning car cruising which involves drivers on public roads racing or showing off their powerful cars.

He then hit 80mph as he headed from the Wednesbury area to Bilston and undertook at least one driver said Sati Ruck prosecuting.

The chase which lasted around 20 minutes finally ended when police used a stringer device across the Stourbridge Road which burst two tyres on the Honda being driven by Vaz.

Vaz, of Polden Close, admitted dangerous driving and failing to stop for police and he was given a four month jail term suspended for two years.

He was further banned from driving for 18 months, told to carry out 120 hours unpaid work in the community and to pay £200 towards the costs of the prosecution.

Christopher O'Gorman, for Vaz, told the court his client "seemed to be going through the teenage years he did not live the first time around."

Mrs Ruck said Vaz appeared to be racing two other cars when he was asked to pull over by the patrolling police officers and he failed to obey their request.