A man who acted as the getaway driver in a caravan theft has been jailed for 15 months at York Crown Court.
Adam Roughton helped tow away one of two caravans worth a total of £30,000 that were stolen from a farm in York, the court heard.
Judge Guy Kearl QC said that the 22-year-old was part of a gang of “professional” thieves with a “colossal record” for dishonesty who had driven from Leicestershire to steal caravans in the area, the York Press reported.
He was caught by a police dog after he abandoned the vehicle on foot following a high-speed chase along the A63 near Selby.
During the escape attempt, he attempted to outrun police while driving at speeds in excess of 60mph, almost overturning the caravan and causing it so much damage that it had to be written off.
The thief had recently been released from prison on parole and his defence barrister Andrew Conboy told the court that he had a history of mental illness and was prescribed anti-depressant and anti-psychotic drugs.
Mr Conboy said that he had been recruited by the gang of travellers to act as the driver during a time in which he was not taking his medication and his judgment was impaired.
