A PASSENGER in a stolen car that smashed into two police vehicles and a parked car causing it to be written off has narrowly avoided being jailed.

Tyler Stafford, 27, was sentenced at Preston Crown Court after pleading guilty to aggravated vehicle taking – (being carried on) and dangerous driving, contrary to section 12a of the Theft Act 1968.

Prosecutor Ellie McManus said the offending started when Stafford and an unnamed co-defendant stole a Ssangyong Musso from the driveway of a business owner earlier this year on April 9.

Ms McManus said the complainant originally thought nothing unusual of his company car not being on the driveway but later called police as nobody in his office knew where it was.

Officers from Cumbria Police soon after stopped the vehicle where the defendant was in the passenger seat, the court heard.

CCTV footage played in court showed the driver then proceeding to ram the stolen vehicle into the police car by reversing into it a number of times on Heversham Road, Leasgill.

The footage showed another police car making ‘tactical contact’ with the car resulting in smashing into a wall and a Honda Jazz car parked nearby.

Ms McManus said the defendant and the driver of the vehicle ran off into a field wearing gloves and a balaclava when they were then detained by officers.

The court heard the owner of the Honda Jazz was a self-employed care worker who was ‘totally dependent’ on using the vehicle for work.

In her victim impact statement, the court heard she lost over £1,000 in earnings and that she did not have the money to replace her vehicle. The woman also detailed how she had to borrow £600 from a friend and that she still owes that money now.

She said the client, whose house she was visiting, believed it was her fault. The court the woman died thinking that.

Representing the defendant, John Woodward said his client ‘had little choice but to be in the vehicle’.

Mr Woodward added: “He had great disquiet about the way the car was being driven.

“He was involved in a very serious road traffic accident where he had to undergo surgery to his leg.

“He has engaged well with supervision and is anxious for support. He has three children with his partner and he has very much changed his behaviour.

“He is terrified about the prospect of receiving an immediate prison sentence. I ask you to consider imposing a suspended sentence to deter him from any additional offending behaviour.”

Recorder Deane sentenced Stafford to a 12-month sentence suspended for 18 months due to concluding that immediate custody would have a ‘significant impact’ on the defendant’s partner and children.

As part of the order, Stafford, of Wear View, Byers Green, Spennymoor, Durham, was required to complete 10 rehabilitation requirement days and a six-month curfew between the hours of 7pm and 7am.

He was also disqualified from driving for two years and ordered to pay £100 in compensation to both the business owner and self employed care worker at a rate of £10 per week.