Louis Clark (18), of Penhale Drive, was wearing an electronic tag at the time because of previous offences.

Nottingham Crown Court heard he drove a Suzuki Swift for two miles and cut across busy car parks, including one at a Co-op supermarket that was full of shoppers.

Clark denied dangerous driving, driving while disqualified and aggravated vehicle-taking but was found guilty after a trial of all three offences.

Judge David Brunning, who remanded him into custody to await sentencing, said: "This man, very sadly, is facing a lengthy period of custody."

The court heard that Clark was spotted in the car shortly before 1 pm on Thursday March 6 by Pc Mark Best, who began to follow.

Other officers joined the chase and Pc Paul Lefford tried to cut him off in an unmarked police car.

Pc Lefford said Clark avoided the blockade, sped towards him and then mounted a kerb to go round the police car.

But one of the officers involved recognised Clark, who was found at a friend's house on Lime Tree Road. The car had been stolen three days before the chase and was later found in a nearby street.

Giving evidence, Clark claimed he hadn't been involved and had walked the two miles to his friend's house.

He claimed not to have heard any police sirens from the chase as he walked across fields and cut through alleyways.

"I have previous driving offences that I have admitted so I would have admitted this one," he said.

But, during cross-examination, David Outterside (prosecuting) suggested it was the very fact that Clark was banned from driving that led him to flee from police when he was spotted.

"You tried to outstrip the police in a way that endangered lots of lives," added Mr Outterside.

After the jury returned their guilty verdicts, the court heard Clark's criminal record included a burglary when he was only 14 years old.

He will be sentenced for his latest offences next Tuesday.