A man has been jailed for 20 months for a string of theft and driving offences, including leading police on a 25 minute high speed chase in a stolen van.

Tony Grant, 26, drove through red lights and mounted pavements in an attempt to escape police after he stole a white van from Oaks Sports Centre in Carshalton on April 18.

Earlier that day he smashed the windows of two cars parked outside St Andrew’s United Reformed Church in Cheam and made off with a handbag and a Sat Nav.

A black Ford Kuga was seen driving away from the church after the thefts.

Later that day officers on patrol spotted the stolen van driving off with the Kuga and chased the van to Croydon Road in Beddington where Grant, who was driving the car, was arrested.

Police later found the Kuga, which had been stolen in a burglary in Chipstead, abandoned in Beddington Lane.

The stolen Sat Nav and other items were found in the car.

Grant, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to two charges of theft from a vehicle, theft of a vehicle, driving while disqualified, dangerous driving and driving without insurance at Croydon Crown Court on May 18.