A YOUNG woman forced her friend to go on a “petrifying” excursion to London after stealing her mother’s car.

Hivda Altuntop took the vehicle and paid an impromptu visit to her friend who lived in Colchester on March 18, 2021.

The 21-year-old persuaded her friend to get in the car before taking her, against her will, to London, Chelmsford Crown Court heard.

The jury was told her driving was “scatty and erratic” and they were later involved in a collision, but Altuntop drove away from the scene.

Police officers spotted her in Dovercourt High Street later that evening where they pursued her in a 60mph chase.

Altuntop was subsequently arrested and later released on bail.

She denied the charges against her.