A PROLIFIC criminal turned to stealing cars to pay off his drugs debt within weeks of being released from prison, a court heard.

Simon McPhee, of Dickinson Street, Darlington, pleaded guilty to eight charges, including aggravated vehicle taking, theft, driving without insurance, driving while disqualified and two counts of stealing cars.

In the summer, the 20-year-old was arrested following a chase through Weardale in a Vauxhall Corsa he had stolen from Darlington, Teesside Crown Court heard.

He was spotted by police at about 5am on August 1 as he drove through St John's Chapel, County Durham, at speeds in excess of 50mph.

The banned driver then raced through Westgate and Eastgate before losing control of the car in Frosterley.

The arresting officer described McPhee's driving as extremely dangerous during the chase.

During police interview, he also admitted breaking into another car and stealing a pair of binoculars and a tool kit. He also admitted stealing a Vauxhall Astra at the same time.

He was subsequently released on bail but was caught in another stolen car when he was driving in Weardale in October.

In mitigation, David Lamb told the court that McPhee had "sung like a canary" during police interview.

He said: "He is not the sort of person to pull the wool over anyone's eyes. For a number of these offences, the police would not have cleared them but for his confession in interview. McPhee has sung like a canary.

"He was told by the drug dealer that he was to go out and steal motor vehicles to give to him so he could sell them on and the debt would be cleared."

Judge John Walford ordered McPhee to finish the 50 days outstanding on his licence and sentenced him to a total of three years in a young offenders' institute. He was also banned from driving for five years.

Sentencing McPhee, Judge Walford said: "Your pre- sentence report makes depressing reading and, sadly, whatever has been tried on you in the past, short prison terms or community orders, nothing has been effective to stop you committing offences.

"It is about time you decided to change your behaviour or you will just go on and on committing offences and getting longer sentences."