A burglar who helped himself to a car parked at a Redditch house he raided has been jailed for four years at Worcester Crown Court.

Darren Nichols took the Volvo from the property in Woodrow Lane, Crabbs Cross, to get home.

Police found the car just 30 yards from his Birmingham address, said prosecutor Gareth Walters.

Five months later, the 27-year-old was involved in a 115mph chase with police near Alcester before being arrested.

And a month later he was spotted driving an Audi which had been taken from another burgled house.

Nichols, of Moat Croft, Chelmsley Wood, admitted burglary, aggravated vehicle taking, driving while banned and driving uninsured.

Mr Walters said his criminal record included six burglaries, 15 offences of taking vehicles without consent and 12 of driving while disqualified.

Judge Michael Mott, who also banned Nichols for three years, told him: "You are a persistent offender and part of it is a fascination with motor vehicles."

He said the burglary at night of an occupied dwelling was at the top end of the scale for break-in crimes.

Nichols broke into the Crabbs Cross house on November 27 last year, stealing property worth £550, said Mr Walters.

Included in the haul was a handbag which contained bank cards and the keys to the Volvo.

Police found the keys at Nichols' home and his trainers matched footprints at the burglary scene.