A "prolific offender" led police on a high-speed chase after burgling a home and stealing a BMW.
Daniel Dixon burgled a West Denton home with another person as a family slept on February 14 this year and made off with the owner's BMW, despite being banned from driving and having no insurance. The next day, the 22-year-old was spotted by a police helicopter driving at speed along Newcastle's Scotswood Road as he led officers on a chase that ended in a stinger being deployed.
Dixon, whose address is listed as HMP Durham, appeared at Newcastle Crown Court via link to be sentenced for two counts of burglary, aggravated vehicle taking, driving whilst disqualified, dangerous driving and driving without insurance. He had pleaded guilty to the charges.
Read more: Man who caused Horden bungalow explosion after extracting cannabis oil in front room avoids jail
Glenn Gatland, prosecuting, said the owner of a home on Western Avenue, West Denton, woke up on February 15 to find their BMW and a van had been stolen from outside. Dixon and an accomplice had taken the keys to both vehicles in a burglary as the family slept. Mr Gatland said: "The BMW was fitted with a tracker device and CCTV from the street shows two men were involved in taking the vehicles. The tracker device activated numerous cameras in the West End of Newcastle and a helicopter was searching for the BMW."
The court was told that Dixon was spotted driving the car at high speed at around 2pm and was going through red lights and driving the wrong way around roundabouts. Mr Gatland said: "Police were in pursuit at this point and a stinger device was deployed on Scotswood Road. The car went over it and the tyres burst, but the defendant continued driving and went the wrong way around a roundabout, causing other drivers to stop." By the time the BMW stopped, numerous police units were involved in the chase, including a dog section. Dixon was then detained.
Mr Gatland said days before the incident, on February 11, Dixon had also stolen a bicycle after carrying out a burglary at Stephenson House, a block of flats. The court heard he "loitered around" and waited for garage shutters to open, he then entered and stole the bike.
The court heard that Dixon had 21 previous convictions for 77 offences and was said to have a "phenomenal record for the theft of bicycles". As well as having previous convictions for theft and aggravated vehicle taking, he was also banned from driving and was a third-strike burglar.
Susannah Proctor, defending, said Dixon carried out "opportunistic offences" which were not planned. She said: "He was simply out and committed the offences when he stumbled upon them. He expresses remorse and empathy for the victims and is disappointed in himself. The offences were committed on impulse."
Ms Proctor added that Dixon "lacks maturity" and has "poor consequential thinking". She told the court that he left school at the age of 14 and "got in with the wrong crowd".
Judge Christopher Prince said despite his young age, Dixon was an "extremely prolific offender" and jailed him for 48 months. Dixon was also banned from driving for 36 months and must take an extended re-test if he wants a licence.
Read next:
