A danger driver stole a car and led police on a high-speed night-time chase – because there were no trains.

Steven Jones, 40, took officers in a pursuit at more than 90mph along the A595.

He was sentenced at Carlisle Crown Court, having admitted dangerous driving, aggravated vehicle taking and driving without insurance.

Elizabeth Evans, prosecuting, said the chase began at about 10.15pm on June 28 when a woman left a Vauxhall Corsa at St George’s Road in Millom.

“She pulled up to go to a cash machine, leaving the engine running and keys in the ignition,” said Miss Evans. “The defendant got into the car and took off.”

Followed by police with sirens sounding, the Corsa was driven erratically along the A595 northbound, “accelerating to speeds in excess of 90mph”, said Miss Evans. It went around a blind corner on the wrong side of the road and travelled at twice the 40mph speed limit through Gosforth.

A police stinger eventually stopped the Corsa.

Jones, of Dalzell Street, Moor Row, who had 31 previous convictions, had previously completed a period of rehabilitation. However, a probation officer report revealed he then found himself homeless, felt defeated and started drinking.

Jones apparently took the car “because there were no trains on”. He was jailed for 12 months and banned from driving for two years.