Two men hurled lit fireworks out of a speeding car during a high-speed police chase.

Arron Graham, 21, and Sheldon O’Neil, 18, have been locked up by a judge who told them that their crime “cannot be tolerated”.

The pair were sentenced at Carlisle Crown Court. They had each admitted causing danger to road users by obstruction to the road.

Tim Evans, prosecuting, said Graham and O’Neil were passengers in a Ford Mondeo involved in a 10-mile pursuit between Caldbeck and the outskirts of Carlisle. This occurred at about 1.30am on Halloween.

Behind the wheel was a fellow Carlisle man who later received a custodial sentence for dangerous driving.

His Mondeo was seen “veering from side to side”, and driven at 50mph across the junction with the B5305 despite police urging it to stop.

“It was at that point that the officer noticed a bright light coming from the offside and a further bright light and a bang,” said Mr Evans.

“That was the occupants, these defendants, from both sides of the vehicle throwing fireworks, causing thick smoke, bright light and glare.”

The Mondeo travelled at twice the 30mph speed limit through Welton, accelerating to 80mph on “damp” roads.

A box of unlit fireworks was thrown from the vehicle, which hit 70mph through Dalston, causing a cyclist to swerve.

Despite a police stinger being deployed, the car continued and a shredded tyre was thrown into the officer’s path.

“More lit and burning fireworks were being thrown still from the vehicle, causing loud bangs, blinding light and lots of smoke,” said Mr Evans.

When the Mondeo finally stopped, O’Neil was noted to be smelling of drink and was clutching a firework and a lighter. Graham was said to have 34 offences in his criminal record, including dangerous driving. O’Neil had fewer convictions but was subject to a suspended sentence at the time of his latest crime.

O’Neil, of Bousteads Grassing, had very little recollection of the incident and was “very drunk”.

Graham, of Weardale Road, was “realistic” about his fate, and “come prepared” for a prison sentence.

Judge Peter Davies gave 12-month immediate custodial sentences to both defendants, who must also each serve year-long driving bans.

“You have to learn that this sort of dangerous offending cannot be tolerated at all,” said Judge Davies.