Banned Ludlow driver jailed for three years

Lee Stanton reached speeds up to 60mph in the narrow streets and drove through red lights.

The Citroen Picasso - displaying stolen registration plates - was driven so fast over a hill that it took off.

At Shrewsbury Crown Court last week 41-year-old Stanton was jailed for a total of three years.

Recorder Martin Jackson told Stanton that he posed a "serious risk" to other road-users and banned him from driving for five years.

“It was simply a matter of good luck no-one was injured or killed as a result of your driving,” he said.

The court heard that Stanton - who has multiple convictions for driving while disqualified and has never held a full driving licence - drove in an area of narrow streets where there were pedestrians.

Mr Guy Mathieson, prosecuting, said Stanton was seen by police with a stolen number plate taped to the Citroen Picasso on June 6 this year.

He said the police pursuit lasted 15 minutes before the defendant abandoned the Citroen at a Tesco car park and ran off.

When he was caught by officers he was found in possession of small quantities of cannabis and amphetamine.

Mr Mathieson said the defendant was also responsible for stealing a VW Golf and a van in the Ludlow area.

He said the keys to the VW Golf were taken from a leisure centre changing room. Both vehicles were recovered undamaged.

Stanton, from Ludlow, but of no fixed address, had pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, failing to supply a specimen of blood and driving while disqualified.

He had also admitted two charges of possession of drugs, two charges of vehicle theft, theft from a vehicle, handling stolen goods and breaching a suspended prison sentence.

The court heard Stanton, described as a serial thief, had previous convictions which involved 228 offences dating back more than 25 years.

Mr Brendan Reedy, for Stanton, said there were many causes for his client's history of offending which included mental health problems which were being addressed.