Notorious teenage car thief jailed

ONE of Grimsby's most notorious car-crime offenders has been locked up for 18 months – and branded a menace to the public – after a catalogue of frightening driving escapades.

The reckless and dangerous offences included several car chases with the police and another incident in which he pursued and terrorised another driver, Grimsby Crown Court heard.

Jamie Barton, 18, of no fixed address, admitted dangerous driving, two offences of aggravated vehicle-taking and having no insurance, three offences of driving while disqualified and another of failing to stop after an accident.

He asked for another offence of taking a vehicle without consent to be considered.

Jeremy Evans, prosecuting, said Barton terrorised another driver by following him in a van from Cleethorpes on to the A180 after 3.15am on May 16. He drew alongside, made gestures, overtook and suddenly braked hard.

The chase continued on to the Immingham slip road and Barton rammed the other driver's car from behind, overtook him again and repeatedly braked hard.

The other driver headed back towards Grimsby on the A180 and Barton followed him aggressively during the 30-mile chase.

"The complainant was desperate to get away," said Mr Evans.

In another incident on July 30, Barton and passenger Jarred Brown drove off at speed in a stolen car in Weelsby Road, Grimsby, and were chased by the police along Park Drive and Abbey Road. Barton drove at times on the wrong side of the road.

In a third incident on October 1, Barton was again driving a stolen car when he accelerated at speed towards Welholme Road, Grimsby, after 9.50pm. He took a roundabout the wrong way, nearly lost control and accelerated to 67mph in a 30mph limit.

Barton overtook other cars on Weelsby Road, drove through red traffic lights, just missing a van, and headed towards Scartho Road and Sutcliffe Avenue at up to 63mph.

He mounted a pavement at 70mph and forced another driver in Winchester Avenue to mount a kerb.

He sped at 70mph on Laceby Road, 82mph on Westward Ho, took a roundabout the wrong way, overtook other vehicles and went through a red traffic light on Dudley Street before abandoning the car.

In another incident on October 21, police followed Barton on Park Street, Freeston Street and Daubney Street, Cleethorpes. There was a collision and he failed to give way at a junction before abandoning the car.

The court heard Barton had 23 previous convictions, including four for driving while banned and two for taking a car without the owner's consent.

He was banned from driving for two years and must pass an extended retest.