A JOYRIDER'S high-speed race to dodge pursuing police was filmed from

a helicopter. Teenager Graham Anderson was at the wheel of a stolen car

when he was chased from Dumbarton to Glasgow.

The 17-year-old car thief crashed through red lights and give-way

signs, drove up the wrong side of roads, and went round a roundabout the

wrong way.

He forced drivers to swerve and brake to avoid colliding with him and

at one point almost knocked down a pedestrian when he drove onto the

pavement to overtake cars waiting at traffic lights.

Glasgow Sheriff Court heard yesterday that when Anderson crossed the

Glasgow boundary the pursuing officers were joined by an air support

unit with a video camera. Police were then able to film Anderson's

driving exploits from the air.

Miss Roseanna Cunningham, prosecuting, said at times the accused

almost lost control of the Metro he had stolen only hours earlier.

Anderson, of Carbeth Street, Possilpark, Glasgow, admitted that on May

30 last he stole the car and drove recklessly and at excessive speed

through streets in Hardgate, Clydebank, Bearsden, Milngavie, and

Glasgow.

He also admitted failing to stop for police, ignoring traffic signals,

forcing other drivers to swerve and brake to avoid collisions and

crashing into a police car.

The court heard the the accused was already on deferred sentence for

similar road traffic offences.

Sheriff Peter Hamilton sentenced Anderson to six months detention in a

young offender's insitution and banned him from driving for five years.

The sheriff told him: ''It is only by the grace of God that this truly

appalling piece of driving did not have more serious consequences.''

Mr Michael Sinclair, defending, said the accused had vowed never to

become involved in similar offences again after his first taste of

custody while on remand.