A DISQUALIFIED driver sped around Basildon at 70mph and was going so fast parts flew off the stolen car.

Jason Shaw, of no fixed address, has been jailed for more than a year after he was spotted by police driving erratically in the Craylands estate.

When police drove past the 42-year-old, they recognised him, as he was known to the force as a disqualified driver.

The officers quickly began to chase Shaw, who had three other people in the car, which was a stolen black Hyundai coupe.

The high-speed chase then took place along Ashlyns and Rectory Road, as Shaw refused to stop the car and continued to accelerate away from officers.

He was driving at more than 70mph on residential roads where the speed limit was 30mph.

Shaw then drove the wrong way around the Broadmayne roundabout and narrowly avoided hitting oncoming traffic.

He was driving so fast, parts of the stolen car began to fall off.

After the chase, Shaw ditched the car in Canterbury Close and was later found by police.

It was also revealed the car’s number plates had been stolen from another, and screwed on in an attempt by Shaw to cover his tracks.

He later admitted dangerous driving, driving whilst disqualified and handling stolen goods following the incident on May 27 this year.

When appearing at Basildon Crown Court on Friday, he also admitted five counts of theft in relation to stealing chocolate, meat and other goods from Co-Op stores in Benfleet and Corringham in the same month, worth a total of £692.

Mitigating, Chris Whitcombe said Shaw was a recovering drug addict.

He said: “For the majority of the last few months the defendant remained free of drugs and free of offending.

“He was homeless for all that period and he lived in a tent near the A127.

“He intends to live with his parents upon release.

“He is not known in that area and he will be far away from drug dealers.”

Recorder John Caudle told Shaw he had an “atrocious” driving record with 18 previous offences and jailed him for a year and seven months.