A BANNED driver who stole a pensioner's car was high on drugs when he crashed it at high speed through seven bollards and impaled it on a fence.

Darren Cooper, 20, staggered away from the wreckage of the Fiat Marea, but was picked up by police nearby a short time later.

Cooper stole the car after taking the keys during an early morning break-in at a house in Linden Grove, Hartlepool, on September 26.

Yesterday, he was jailed for a total of two-and-a-half years after admitting burglary, aggravated vehicle-taking, driving while disqualified, failing to give a blood sample and driving without insurance.

Teesside Crown Court heard how Cooper, of Stephen Street, Hartlepool, had three previous convictions for aggravated vehicle-taking, and was banned for 15 months in April last year.

Andrea Pitt, prosecuting, told the court that householder Gordon Pickering was woken by a phone call from police who told him his £2,500 car had been written off in a crash.

Mr Pickering, 69, went downstairs to discover two electronic organisers, a charm bracelet, a tool set and his wallet and bank cards had also been taken by Cooper.

Ms Pitt said the Fiat was seen speeding along Winterbottom Avenue, about two miles away, at 5.30am before going straight over a roundabout, smashing through the bollards and landing on the railings.

A witness called the police after seeing Cooper staggering away from the scene. He was arrested nearby and treated by paramedics.

Christine Egerton, mitigating, said Cooper had no recollection of the burglary, of his medical attention or being interviewed by police after refusing to give a blood sample.

A breath-test for alcohol was negative, but Cooper later said he had taken a cocktail of cannabis and diazepam after his prescribed anti-psychotic medication had run out.

"This is his first burglary," said Ms Egerton. "He is appalled and disgusted with himself that he has committed such an offence, and he is disbelieving that he has stooped so low.

"He has expressed genuine remorse for the effect to the victims of the burglary. He has resolved when he is released to turn over a new leaf."

Judge George Moorhouse described the crash as "horrid" and told Cooper custody was his only option.

"This court has to protect people and their property," said the judge.