AN unlicensed driver has been jailed for a police chase that left an Audi sports car owner with a bill for more than £5,000.

Cars had to swerve out of the path of Thomas Matthew Paul Metcalfe, 21, as he fled from officers who spotted him at the wheel of the Audi in Boroughbridge Road, York, within hours of it being stolen in a burglary in Heworth Green, Rob Galley prosecuting, told York Crown Court.

He overtook three cars by crossing into the route of oncoming vehicles, and fled through Millfield Lane and Long Ridge Lane, Poppleton, before crashing the stolen vehicle in Station Road. The Audi was so badly damaged the owner had to put in an insurance claim for more than £5,000. Metcalfe, who has a long criminal history, including several house burglaries, has never held a driving licence and was not insured.

Metcalfe, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to handling stolen goods, car snatching aggravated by dangerous driving, car snatching aggravated by criminal damage, driving without a licence and driving without insurance. He was jailed for 20 months and banned from driving for 12 months. He must take an extended driving test before driving unsupervised again.

Mr Galley said a police community support officer spotted Metcalfe in Boroughbridge Road. Shortly afterwards, two police officers in an unmarked police car identified him, despite Metcalfe trying to shield his face. They gave chase. When he crashed the car, he fled on foot and was tracked down with the help of police dogs.

Colin Dunn, for Metcalfe, said: “Prison is in one sense the only family he has got. But he isn’t a lost cause.” He said Metcalfe had had an appalling start in life, and had given up on the various agencies who had tried to help him.