A DECORATOR who stole fuel worth just £10 from a Dartford petrol station crashed and spun his car 360 degrees following a high-speed police chase.

Michael Smith, 29, was captured on CCTV stealing the fuel on November 6, 2011, and five days later police officers in South Ockendon, Essex, clocked him in the same vehicle.

As the officers slowed down to approach him, he “took off” and initiated a 7.5-mile chase lasting 10 minutes, during which he drove at speeds of up to 70mph in 30mph residential areas at 10.45pm.

Prosecutor Jamas Hodiuala told Basildon Crown Court this morning: “Although there were street lights, he drove without his headlights on.

“Police officers immediately put on emergency lights and took chase in an effort to get him to stop.

“He drove through a red traffic light and turned into Stifford Road.

“Here, he clipped a curb of a traffic island, causing damage to his vehicle and he drove in excess of the speed limit at around 70mph.

“He was over-taking other road users and went through another red traffic light.”

As Smith, who lives on the Southend Arterial Road in Essex, drove in the direction of Brentwood on twisty, single-carriageway roads, he threw his car radio and a car jack out of the window at the following police car.

He was also seen to over-take another vehicle on the wrong side of the road.

Mr Hodiuala added: “He ended up in Great Warley Street, Brentwood.

“He lost control of the vehicle, spinning 360 degrees.

“The police vehicle rammed into his vehicle with a view to stopping him continuing any further.”

Smith was arrested at the scene and officers found he had no driving license and no insurance.

During police interview, he said: “I wasn’t bothered about what speed I was doing, I just wanted to get away. I wasn’t paying attention to my speed or any traffic lights.”

Smith was handed a 12-month prison sentence for dangerous driving, a three-month sentence for failing to surrender to custody and a one-month prison sentence for making off without payment.

The sentences were suspended for 18 months and would run concurrently.

He must also carry out 150 hours unpaid work, was disqualified for driving for three years and ordered to pay £200 costs.

There were no separate sentences for driving without license or insurance offences.

Smith had pleaded guilty at magistrates’ court to the five charges.

Denise Cole, mitigating, said: “He was at the lowest point in his life and had been a drug user for past 10 years.

“At the time, all he did was live for drugs and he didn’t care about the consequences of his actions. He just wanted to buy drugs and use drugs.

“The defendant tells me that since this offence, he has started a relationship and since then, he has been able to wean himself off drugs with her support and help.

“He has been able to obtain employment as a painter and decorator.”

She added: “I know these offences are so serious that you might think that a custodial sentence should be imposed but he said he has now changed his life completely.

“He wakes up in the morning and looks forward to going to work.”

Sentencing Smith, Judge William Graham said: “These offences are clearly so serious that they must be marked by a prison sentence.

“But because of the fact you have kept out of trouble for 18 months and there is evidence you have stabilised your life away from criminal activity and away from drugs, I feel that I’m able to suspend that sentence.”

As he left the dock, Smith told Judge Graham: “Thank you for giving me a chance to prove myself.”