A THIEF has been jailed for five years after stealing and crashing two cars and fleeing police in one night.

Wally Smith, 32, of Gypsy Lane, Little Dunmow, was told he had committed a “revolting” act of crime as he was sentenced by Judge Charles Gratwicke at Chelmsford Crown Court on Friday.

Smith had previously admitted two counts of robbery, one count of attempted robbery, possession of a knife and handling stolen goods.

The court was told that Smith and another man, whose identity is not known, had robbed a BMW at knifepoint when it’s owner pulled up to park in Felsted, before taking the car and driving towards Stansted.

Prosecuting, Peter Gair said: “At 8pm on March 15, Paul Austin pulled into The Swan Inn, Felsted where he spotted two men, but did not think anything of it.

“Once parked, he heard a tap on the window and the defendant was on the other side. He threatened him, saying he had a knife and forced him out of the car. He thought if he complied they would take what they wanted and leave him.

“But after a few minutes they drove off in his car with his wallet and phone inside. He want into the pub and called the police.

“A police officer stationed on the A120, after being made aware of the theft, spotted the BMW driving at speed towards Stansted Airport.

“The officer pursued the vehicle to the roundabout at Bishops Stortford services, and discovered it had crashed into another vehicle.”

Mr Gair told the court that Smith and his associate had tried to force open the door of a Mercedes waiting at the traffic lights on the sliproad from the M11, but the door was locked from the inside.

Smith then flagged down another approaching car, forced the driver out and drove off, despite the pursuing officer attempting to stop him.

The pair were chased to a farm in White Roding, Dunmow, where they drove through the front gates and crashed into a bush, fleeing the scene.

A fingerprint left on the car Smith had attempted to steal later led police to him.

Mitigation for Smith said he was remorseful and sorry for his actions, saying that the loss of his sister and brother in a short space of time had led to him turning to crime.

Sentencing Smith, Judge Gratwicke said: “Anyone listening to the account of the offences you committed cannot think anything but anger and revulsion about the way you treated these drivers.

“The motorists were going about their lawful way and showed no aggression whatsoever. It was you who wanted something and you were going to take it. They must have been terrified by what occurred, and you showed no remorse at all.”

Smith received a total of four years six months jail time for the two robberies, attempted robbery and possessing a knife, plus six months for handling stolen goods, totalling five years behind bars.