A CAR thief went on a crime spree three days after being released from prison for a previous offence - and days before he was due to be sentenced again for other offences.

Durham Crown Court was told 19-year-old Paul Faulkner took three cars from the Peterlee area of east Durham, during the spree.

He abandoned two of the vehicles, but when he was spotted driving away in a Ford Fiesta, the police gave pursuit.

He ignored police flashing lights and drove at speeds up to 80mph towards Seaham and then Easington Village.

The court was told he drove the wrong way on a roundabout and narrowly missed police vehicles taking part in the pursuit.

Mark Giuliani, prosecuting, said Faulkner eventually lost control and hit an underpass wall.

Faulkner, of East Dene, Seaham, admitted aggravated vehicle taking, driving while disqualified, no insurance and failing to stop for police, at a previous hearing.

He asked for two other offences of taking vehicles without consent to be considered.

Robin Turton, in mitigation, said Faulkner had a "troubled" background and had spent a large part of his youth in custody.

But he said he now has a nine-month-old son and was keen to develop contact.

Faulkner was sentenced to 18 months in a young offenders' institution and banned from driving for a further year.