A teenager drove through seven red lights as he was chased by police before hitting the wall of Cardiff Prison.
Joel Tottle, 18, who was driving a Renault Clio and found to have ketamine in his blood, failed to stop when a police officer turned on his blue flashing lights.
Sentencing him at Cardiff Crown Court, Judge Nicola Jones said: “This was in the city centre so the potential for harm was enormous.”
The court heard an officer saw Tottle drive off from Cardiff Bay Retail Park “at speed” down Ferry Road in the early hours of April 12.
Pamela Kaiga, prosecuting, said he drove towards Butetown Tunnel and another officer followed him from the Queen’s Road roundabout.
The officer turned on his blue lights to signal for the driver to pull over but he carried on, almost colliding with another vehicle in Adam Street.
Prosecutors said he went through a red light, hit the wall of HM Cardiff Prison, drove through another red light and eventually hit a kerb.
The court heard he appeared to be under the influence of a substance as he was unsteady on his feet and his speech was slurred. He told the police: “I’m not drunk. My mate gave me the tablets. They’re anti-anxiety.”
Ms Kaiga said the roadside breath test was negative but 23mg of ketamine was found in his blood.
Tottle, 18, from Sennybridge in Defynnog, Brecon, admitted driving while unfit through drugs, dangerous driving, and failing to stop.
Clare Wilks, defending, said her client worked at events and had no previous convictions. The judge noted he had “substantial” personal mitigation as he had suffered a bereavement around the time of the offending.
Tottle was given a 12-month prison sentence, suspended for 12 months, and ordered to carry out 200 hours of unpaid work plus 15 days of a rehabilitation activity.
He was ordered to pay £340 towards prosecution costs along with a £140 victim surcharge.
The defendant was disqualified from driving for 18 months and must take an extended re-test before being allowed behind the wheel again.
