A THIEF who stole a car before crashing it into three parked cars and a garden wall will now spend Christmas behind bars.

Joshua Norman stole the Audi from outside a property on Ruskin Road, in Darlington, in the early hours of Saturday, August 7.

Ten minutes later, the 27-year-old crashed into three parked cars on Greenbank Road and a garden wall before running off, leaving a trail of destruction in his wake.

A police investigation was launched and Norman was arrested and charged with aggravated vehicle taking, dangerous driving, driving while disqualified and driving without insurance.

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He admitted the offences at magistrates’ court last week where he was jailed for a year.

Detective Sergeant Liam Robertson, from Darlington Volume Crime Team, said: “Norman is a prolific offender who has committed numerous offences in Darlington over the years.

“I am pleased he has admitted his guilty and hope this sentence brings a degree of relief to the community - particularly to his victims – to know that he is off the streets and behind bars.”

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