A burglar who led police on a 50-mile chase at speeds of up to 120mph has been jailed for more than four years.

Warehouseman Dean Fullbrook, of Meere Bank, Lawrence Weston, was told by a judge that it was the worst such case he had ever heard.

The 25-year-old father was jailed for four years and three months yesterday after admitting burglary, aggravated vehicle taking, driving while disqualified, dangerous driving and having no insurance.

Maidstone Crown Court heard that Fullbrook,and two others broke into Fair Price Stores in Sittingbourne, Kent, on November 8 and stole £15,000 of cigarettes.

He then sped onto the M2 in a stolen BMW, chased by police. When he reached London, officers there took over the pursuit.

Deborah Charles, prosecuting, said Fullbrook drove on the wrong side of the road and went through several red traffic lights.

A police van tried but failed to block the car. The car accelerated away, reaching 80mph before hurtling into Bromley town centre through red lights and going over roundabouts the wrong way.

Several cars had to take evasive action to avoid an accident.

Fullbrook and another man abandoned the BMW and were found as they tried to hide. He kicked out as he was arrested, the court heard.

Hundreds of packets of stolen cigarettes were found in the car.

Miss Charles said Fullbrook had previous convictions for forgery, attempted robbery, taking cars, criminal damage, theft, driving while disqualified and driving with excess alcohol.

Judge James O'Mahony said Fullbrook had driven the car at gross risk of death to innocent people when disqualified and uninsured.

Fullbrook was jailed for four years for the offences and three months for breach of a suspended sentence. He was also disqualified for five years.