A HEROIN addict with a string of previous convictions for driving offences has been sentenced to 12 months in prison for dangerous driving.

Darren Andrews, 23, of Woodcock Road, Warminster, who appeared at Chippenham magistrates' court last week and admitted stealing from his grandmother to fund his addiction, pleaded guilty to four driving offences.

Stephen Dent, prosecuting at Swindon Crown Court on Friday, said Andrews had previous convictions dating back to 1998 including drink-driving, dangerous driving and driving while disqualified, for which he was imprisoned in 2005 for two months.

A policeman spotted Andrews on Christmas Eve 2004 driving near Warminster at 3.30am and followed him, as he knew he was disqualified from driving. Andrews sped off, overtaking on corners and driving into the face of oncoming traffic on the other side of the road at speeds well in excess of the 30mph limit.

The chase ended in Heytesbury, where Andrews ran off but eventually returned and admitted being the driver. Sam Butterfield, defending, said Andrews' desire to fund his heroin addiction overrode any thoughts and at the time he was injecting £20 worth of heroin a day.

Mr Butterfield said: "He has completed a detox programme and is now free of the drug and he never wants to take it again." Judge John McNaught sentenced him to 10 months in prison for dangerous driving and two months for driving while disqualified. He was disqualified for three more years.