A drug addict who took a stolen car on a joyride after finding it abandoned with the keys in the ignition came to a shuddering halt when he crashed it.

Daniel Charlton was spotted driving around Middlesbrough in a Vauxhall Corsa that had been reported stolen by a Teesside University student.

The 35-year-old was arrested after crashing the car following a police chase and was found to be over the drug-drive limit when he was eventually caught by a police dog during a foot pursuit.

Emma Atkinson, prosecuting, told Teesside Crown Court how the student had parked her car up on the evening of December 7 but found only broken glass in its place the following morning.

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“Police saw the car being driven at speed along Longlands Road heading towards the A66, the officers activated the emergency equipment to stop the vehicle but he continued to drive at excess speed in conditions that were wet and windy,” she added.

The defendant crashed into street furniture before trying to flee but was caught by a police dog after he fell over small fence.

Charlton, of Holly Street, Middlesbrough, pleaded guilty to aggravated vehicle taking, driving over the proscribed drug-drive limit, driving without insurance and driving without a licence.

Kelleigh Lodge, in mitigation, said her client had only been looking for things to sell when he stumbled upon the stolen car and decided to take out for a spin.

She added: “When he saw the vehicle, he was initially looking in to see if there was anything he could take, unfortunately, when he saw the keys in it, he decided to take it for a drive.”

Recorder Simon Jackson QC sentenced Charlton to ten months in prison, suspended for 24 months.

He said: “Ultimately, you lost control during a chase with the police resulting in you colliding with the vehicle which you had taken spontaneously after finding it open.

“Initially tempted to steal things to fund your drug habit you took it for a joy-ride.”

Charlton was also disqualified from driving for 15 months, ordered to attend a Thinking Skills course and 20 rehabilitation activity requirement days, and issued with a five-month curfew.

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