A disqualified driver who crashed a stolen car during a police chase has been jailed for two years and three months.

Motoring menace Darren Hector has more than 100 previous driving convictions including 41 for breaking earlier bans.

But the 34-year-old Trowbridge man was spotted by police taking his girlfriend out for a joyride in a car stolen from the forecourt of Langmans, on Riverway.

And as he tried to get away he touched speeds of up to 90mph on country roads before hitting a tractor which was blocking his escape.

Tessa Hingston, prosecuting, told Swindon Crown Court last Thursday how officers spotted the Ford Fiesta being driven badly in Wells, Somerset, on the afternoon of Tuesday, October 15.

She said they tried to stop the vehicle using their lights and sirens but it sped away, overtaking other vehicle in a dangerous manner.

During a 10-minute pursuit, which ended in the village of Pilton, the car went over the speed limit in residential areas and reached 90mph on open roads.

And the chase only came to an end when a police vehicle coming in the other direction was alongside a tractor and trailer, blocking the way forward.

Despite there being no way through the motorist tried to mount the pavement, crashing into the tractor and a wall.

In the passenger seat was his girlfriend, and he also had a cannabis joint on him and some amphetamines stored in his backside.

Hector, of Clothier Leaze, Trowbridge, pleaded guilty to aggravated taking without consent, driving while disqualified, no insurance, and two counts of possessing drugs.

The court heard he had 41 previous convictions for driving while disqualified and was on a suspended sentence at the time of the offence.

Edward Hetherington, defending, said his client had a poor record and also mental health issues and says he was preyed upon by others to offend.

He said he had a new girlfriend, who knew nothing about the car being stolen, and she was having a positive affect on his life.

Passing sentence, Judge Douglas Field said "It is about time you grew out of these offences. You have now got a partner who cares for you and when you come out you should take responsibility and stop offending with motor vehicles."

He jailed him for 27 months and banned him from the road for three years.