Footprints in the snow lead police to car thief

A car thief caught hiding in a garden after police officers traced his footprints through the snow has been jailed.

Josh Mansfield, 25, was arrested just 35 minutes after breaking into a home in Bessacarr, Doncaster, to steal the keys to a BMW in January.

After the stolen vehicle was spotted being driven erratically he was pursued by officers at speeds of up to 80mph (128km/h) before crashing the vehicle and attempting to hide in a nearby garden.

Mansfield, of no fixed abode, was jailed for three and a half years at Sheffield Crown Court on 3 February after pleading guilty to burglary and motoring offences.

Det Insp Mark Nicholson-Gee said: "People deserve to feel safe in their homes and Mansfield's actions saw him destroy this idea of safety for his own personal gain.

"After breaking into this person's home and stealing their car, he then led police on a dangerous pursuit, driving the stolen vehicle at excessive speeds before colliding with a lamppost.

"He is fortunate no-one was injured as a result of his reckless driving and thankfully due to the swift actions of my colleagues he was quickly arrested and has been brought to justice."

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