A BURGLAR who led police on a dangerous car chase has been locked up for more than three years.

Stephen Ford, 27, had stolen £1,800-worth of jewellery during a break-in at a house in Stockton.

Hours later, when police recognised his car, he refused to stop for them and sped around the town - forcing motorists and pedestrians to take evasive action.

Ford, of Neasham Close, Stockton, admitted the offences. He was given two years and five months in jail for the burglary and nine months for dangerous driving. He was also banned from the roads for two years.

Teesside Crown Court heard yesterday how Ford - who has convictions for 64 offences going back to 1992 - has kicked a drugs habit and had recently settled down with a girlfriend.

His barrister, Nigel Soppitt, said: "He is a different character to the one who has been in this court over the past ten years.

"After more than a decade of criminality, it seems the incentives are there for this man to change."

Shaun Dryden, prosecuting, told the court that Ford was spotted by a neighbour breaking into the house in Marske Lane, Stockton, on the morning of October 12 last year.

Less than four hours later, police tried to stop his car in Bishopton Road but he fled by driving the wrong way around a roundabout and failed to stop at traffic lights.

He was only caught when he lost control of the vehicle and crashed head-on into a lamppost.