The ‘thorn in the side of the Epsom community’ who led police helicopters on a dangerous chase was jailed this week having failed to reform his ways after being warned against a life of crime.

Connor Higgs, 20, of Wandle Court, Epsom, will spend 14 months behind bars after being sentenced for aggravated vehicle taking and burglary at Guildford Crown Court on Wednesday (April 5).

He had been ordered to attend a rehabilitation course, stay clear of drugs, and not commit any further crimes in October, but he failed to meet these requirements, and was hauled before a judge.

From July: Man and 14-year-old boy charged following police chase through Epsom and Tolworth

Higgs, along with a 14-year-old accomplice from Surbiton – who cannot be named for legal reasons, was disturbed by a home owner as he burgled a garage in Dirdene Gardens on May 26, 2016.

The two fled on a moped, which had been stolen the previous day, leading police on a chase through the roads and footpaths of Epsom and Tolworth.

The pair were spotted on the moped in Tolworth, and after 33 minutes of being chased by Surrey and Metropolitan Police officers, a police helicopter and police dog units, they were stopped in Reigate Road, Nork.

Your Local Guardian:

Higgs was given a deferred sentence by Judge Robert Fraser on October 6. Judge Fraser told him: “I have to deal with death by dangerous driving cases all the time. It is appalling the damage is causes to people.

“You are nibbling away at the system, now it’s getting more serious. You have to change now.”

Higgs was told to attend the Amber Foundation for a 28-day rehabilitation course and to abide by its rules of no drug-taking, no offending in order to obtain a good reference.

But he failed to meet these conditions, and was jailed yesterday. Higgs was also banned from driving for two and a half years.

Epsom and Ewell Inspector Jackie Elkins, said: “Connor Higgs has been a thorn in the side of the Epsom community for the last year.

“He has been given every chance to reform his behaviour and I am disappointed he didn’t take the opportunities offered to him.

“Considering the reckless way he drove the moped that evening, it was remarkable that no-one was hurt.

“I hope that this reassures the good people of Epsom and Ewell that we take this misbehaviour seriously, and will work tirelessly to protect our community from people like Connor.”