Notts shoplifter's police chase finished in dead-end

Richard Brown breached a criminal behaviour order banning him from supermarkets in Broxtowe, Stapleford, Chilwell and Beeston, by entering 12 shops, between December 22, 2019, and February 1, 2020, where he stole meat and booze.

"He was very well-known to the staff,” said prosecutor Siward James-Moore. "The order was made on August 29, 2019, following his conviction for 18 shop thefts."

Three days after the last theft, police spotted Brown driving a Mini on Nottingham Road, in Long Eaton.

"He performed a U-turn travelling at 50mph in a 30mph zone," said Mr James-Moore.

"He turned his lights off and went on to a roundabout, heedless of a pedestrian crossing and causing another vehicle to brake sharply.

"He sped over a mini roundabout without slowing."

Another officer took over the pursuit and followed Brown as he attempted a handbrake turn, almost colliding with a car that was turning in front of him.

"He slammed on his brakes and reversed to ram," said Mr James-Moore. "It appears he had trouble engaging the gear but instead set off at speed and drove into a dead end.

"He couldn't go any further and he was arrested without further incident."

Nottingham Crown Court heard Brown was banned from driving on February 6, 2019, and has numerous convictions for driving without a licence, burglary and taking cars, said the prosecutor.

"In the last six years shoplifting dominates the record, with drug possession and burglary," he added.

Shital Maher, mitigating, said Brown has been addicted to crack-cocaine and heroin for 20 years.

"After his last release he was homeless and continued with his drug use," she said. "The offending was in order to feed his addiction."

Brown, 40, of no fixed abode, pleaded guilty to the breaches and thefts, dangerous driving and driving with no insurance or a licence.

On Friday, Judge Julie Warburton sentenced him to 12 months in prison and banned him for 15 months, and until he takes an extended test.