A MECHANIC who sparked police chases through a busy city has been jailed for stripping down stolen cars and selling them for parts.

Robert Sampson, 38, of Oaklands Crescent, Southwick, Sunderland, was arrested following police surveillance at his vehicle salvage repair workshop, behind the city's North Bridge Street, in late 1999.

He was jailed for three years after pleading guilty to three charges of handling stolen cars, two of driving while disqualified and two of driving without insurance. He was also banned from driving for three years.

Newcastle Crown Court heard that he had sparked two separate police chases in the centre of Sunderland when he was caught driving while disqualified.

Tim Parkin, prosecuting, said that a Ford Escort, which had been taken from Lincoln, turned up at Sampson's garage 14 minutes before it was reported stolen.

Sampson's brother David, 30, of Ridley Street, Southwick, received 150 hours community service and was ordered to pay £150 costs after he admitted assisting in the retention of a stolen vehicle.

Joseph Lebihan, 39, of Hepburn Grove, Sunderland, received a 200-hour community order and £250 prosecution costs for theft and perverting the course of justice.

He admitted he gave Sampson his wife's leased Renault Megan after he ran up a £1,200 bill for excess mileage, and then reported it stolen.