AN autistic rapper led police on a dangerous chase though Worcester before he crashed into a kerb and ran away, trying to hide in undergrowth.

Provisional licence holder Mohammed Rahim who was also uninsured claimed he panicked as he sped away from police in his Vauxhall Vectra after they tried to stop him at a city garage forecourt.

The 37-year-old, who described himself as a rapper, was jailed at Worcester Crown Court on Friday after admitting dangerous driving, driving without insurance and driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence.

Thomas Griffiths, prosecuting, said two police officers were in a marked car on February 28 this year when they noticed Rahim’s Vectra facing the wrong way on a traffic island on the A4440 towards Lower Wick in Worcester.

Checks revealed the car was uninsured and police followed Rahim onto the forecourt of the BP service station, illuminating blue lights to get him to stop.

He said: “The vehicle immediately made off at speed, so much so that the wheels span in protest.”

Rahim continued towards the Bull Ring and New Road roundabout, driving at around 45mph in a 30mph zone and went through a red light.

The car made contact with the roundabout, creating sparks from the front off-side and hit a kerb, causing it to come to a stop.

“The driver’s door opened and the defendant ran from the vehicle. Police pursued him and, after a very short foot chase, he was found hiding in some undergrowth in a nearby garden” said Mr Griffiths.

Police later found a female passenger in the car. Rahim is a provisional licence holder but no L plates were displayed on the car and the passenger was under 21 and therefore could not have been supervising him.

In interview he admitted he had no insurance or licence. With regard to the dangerous driving he said he had been diagnosed with autism and was ‘prone to panicking’ which is what he did when he saw police.

The court heard how Rahim, of Selwyn Road, Cambridge, had previous convictions for dishonesty, drugs offences and outraging public decency but no relevant driving convictions. A month ago he was fined for possession of cannabis.

Adam Williams, defending, said his client had not driven on the wrong side of the road and that he accepted he was the driver.

He said Rahim had panicked because of his autism and ‘made, through that panic, a quite frightful and dreadful decision to evade police.’

He added: “He instructs me he’s a rapper and has 70,000 followers and has had a recent upturn with his following. He’s very proud of this. He’s remorseful for what has happened. That can be shown in his plea.”

Rahim was described as providing support to other rappers, diverting youths away from crime.

Judge Juckes jailed him for eight months and disqualified him from driving for 16 months.

He must also complete an extended driving retest.