A PROLIFIC offender rammed a police car during a dangerous chase in Stroud after taking a mum's new car days after leaving jail.

Stephen King, aged 36, of no fixed address, has made 29 previous court appearances for dozens of crimes.

On Friday, February 8, he pleaded guilty at Gloucester Crown Court to dangerous driving, two burglaries, three thefts and four offences of criminal damage.

Nadeem Aullybocus, prosecuting, said King's offences included snatching a charity collection box from Tesco Express in Nailsworth and a mobile phone owned by a member of staff at Papa John's in Stroud.

On December 28 last year he broke into a parked BMW X3 in Stroud and stole a packet of cigarettes and the keys to two other cars, a Ford Focus and a Nissan Primera.

The Focus belonged to the partner of the BMW owner and she had only just bought it for £3,500 that day, said the prosecutor.

King went to Tesco Express in Nailsworth the next day and reached behind the till to take a charity collection box. He left the shop pursued by staff but was not caught.

About two-and-a-half hours later, a police officer saw King driving the Focus in Bisley Old Road, Stroud and tried to block the car in but King hit the police vehicle and then drove round it to get away at speed.

"The officer pursued him through Stroud," said Mr Aullybocus.

"The weather was very wet.

"The roads were pretty tight and some drivers had to stop to let King past. It was pretty dangerous.

"The defendant then wedged the car between two vans and got out and ran off.

"The officers had to go over the bonnet of the car to chase him. He was caught and arrested.

"The chase resulted in damage to four vehicles - the Focus, the police car, a motor caravan and a van."

Mr Aullybocus read out an impact statement from the Ford Focus owner, who has a young daughter, saying the incident ruined her Christmas.

Catherine Spedding, defending, said King was ashamed of his bad behaviour, which started within days of him being released from jail on December 21.

"He is very sorry for what he has done," she added.

He could not get accommodation and stole a car in which to live, she added.

King, who has been offered a place in a 'dry house' in Telford, will be sentenced on April 11.