A judge branded a man an “idiot” after he filmed himself on a “high speed joy ride” through a city.

Jordan Curtis, 28, from Rottingdean, stole his ex-partner’s car from Gosport then travelled at high speed through Southampton on April 13.

Southampton Crown Court heard how Curtis was on a video call with his ex while speeding through the city, trying to escape from police and ploughed into parked cars.

Curtis then dumped the car, which had to be written off due to the damage - and she has had to pay out for a new vehicle.

Prosecuting, Andrew Coley said he “disregarded” the police’s attempts to pull him over and sped off and drove dangerously, risking the lives of other road users and pedestrians.

READ MORE: Sussex: Teenage dangerous driver crashes into family house

But, mitigating, Khalid Missouri said Curtis had an extremely turbulent childhood, adding that the impact of his father leaving when he was aged five was severe.

Judge Christopher Parker KC interjected and said: “I understand he has had a difficult upbringing, but it does not excuse what he has done. It is of his own doing.”

This was accepted by Mr Missouri, who added: “This is no excuse whatsoever, but I hope the court will understand where my client has come from.

“In his police interview he held his hands up and accepted driving dangerously and taking his partner’s vehicle. He is deeply remorseful and pleaded guilty at the first opportunity.”

Curtis, of Chailey Avenue, Rottingdean, pleaded guilty to unlawfully taking a vehicle, driving without insurance, failing to stop for a police constable, driving without a licence, and driving dangerously.

Passing sentence, Judge Parker described the incident as a "high speed joy ride" and said: “While you were driving around like an idiot, you were filming yourself on a video call to your partner.

“The probation report says you may have a thinking deficiency, but the deficiency you have is failing to recognise that what you do has consequences.

“All of that means a sentence of imprisonment is richly deserved in your case. I am going to suspend your sentence as there is a glimmer of hope you might at last be growing up.”

Curtis was handed a sentence of 16 months suspended for two years and was disqualified from driving for 18 months.

He must pay a £200 fine.

He must also undertake 280 hours of unpaid work and attend 15 days of rehabilitation activity, and pay prosecution costs of £150.