A PROLIFIC young offender was back in custody within days of his release from his previous prison sentence, a court heard.

Lee Brian Smith, who was said to be in danger of becoming “institutionalised”, was jailed for a total of three years and 24 days, at Durham Crown Court.

The 21-year-old three-strike burglar took keys to a car parked outside a house in King Street, Spennymoor, after entering the premises through an unlocked door in the early hours of October 14.

Shaun Dryden, prosecuting, said the Volkswagen Polo left a nearby filling station without payment being made for £25-worth of diesel, at 4.45am.

Mr Dryden said it was seen by police travelling south on the A167, at about 9.25am the following day.

Police vehicles followed it into Ferryhill within speed limits for the area, but once blue lights were activated, Smith tried to make off, heading through the town centre at 60-miles per hour.

Mr Dryden said he crossed junctions without stopping, heading in the wrong direction on a one-way street in wet conditions.

On leaving Ferryhill, the Polo’s speed picked up “dramatically”, at one stage reaching 100-mph in poor visibility, on narrow country lanes.

The pursuit ended when it went out of control, spinning 180-degrees, before colliding with a hedge.

Smith tried to flee on foot, but was chased and detained by police.

He made “full admissions”, saying he had been out “grafting”, entering the house and taking the car at about 4.15am the previous day.

Mr Dryden said when asked about the manner of his driving, Smith said he did not believe it was dangerous, as he felt “in control”.

“When it was pointed he could have killed someone, he said: ‘It was one of those things’.

“He didn’t appear to think it was particularly significant.”

Smith, of Rose Crescent, Sacriston, near Chester-le-Street, who has 26 previous convictions for 36 offences, admitted burglary, theft of the car, dangerous driving, making off without payment, plus driving without a licence or insurance.

John Turner, mitigating, said Smith, felt “anxious and depressed” in his release from his previous sentence five days before the incident.

“He said he didn’t ‘feel right’, and it appears he’s at risk of becoming institutionalised.

“Drugs seem to have been a feature of his offending and, since being remanded in custody, he has sought counselling.”

Jailing him, Judge Robert Adams said Smith has “a terrible record” for offences of dishonesty.

He also banned him from driving for 18 months.