A Norwich man was jailed for 12 months and given a two-year driving ban after he was convicted of leading police on a high speed chase around Long Stratton after a burglary.

Scott Piggin, 29, from Tippett Close, Bowthorpe, was convicted of burglary and dangerous driving following a trial at Norwich Crown Court.

The court heard how Piggin refused to stop for police after he stole a TV from a property in St David's Close, Long Stratton, on January 14.

Simon Ward, prosecuting, said Piggin had accelerated away after police tried to stop him when he was spotted driving without any lights.

He then led police on a chase through Long Stratton and nearby Tharston.

Piggin was clocked driving about 65mph in a 20mph area and he also drove through a red light.

When the van came to a stop in Blenheim Close, Long Stratton, Piggin abandoned the vehicle and ran off and was found hiding in a nearby garden.

Piggin had denied the offences but was convicted by a jury after just over two hours.

Jailing him, Judge Peter Jacobs said that Piggin had been drinking in the pub earlier and said that roads were dangerous enough without driving of this kind. He added: 'We can do without people driving in this way.''

He ordered that Piggin take an extended driving test before getting back behind the wheel.

Andrew Oliver, for Piggin, said there was no planning to the offences and said that at the time of the dangerous driving it was in the early hours so there were no pedestrians or other cars about.

He said that since the offences Piggin, who is a father of six, had lost his job as a delivery driver and was suffering from depression.

He said that he had the support of his family who were helping him reduce his alcohol intake.