An unqualified driver has been jailed within 24 hours after being caught in a 115mph police chase on the A13 in a stolen car.

On November 13, officers from the Essex Road Crime Team were patrolling South Mayne, Basildon, when they spotted a Ford Fiesta with cloned plates.

The driver, Liam Martin, 23, sped off instead of stopping, and a high-speed chase ensued along the A13.

Essex Police say Martin drove dangerously through red lights, undertook other vehicles, and narrowly avoided two collisions, reaching speeds of up to 115mph.

He left the A13 at the Manorway junction in Grays, only to rejoin the southbound carriageway in the wrong direction before abandoning the car at a garage.

Officers pursued him on foot and arrested him in a nearby field.

Martin, of Felmores, Basildon, was arrested and remanded into custody to appear at Southend Magistrates' Court the following day .

He was jailed for a total of 26 weeks after admitting to handling stolen goods - the car - and dangerous driving.

Martin was also disqualified for 48 months as he was only a provisional licence holder and the disqualification will remain in place until an extended test pass.

Police Constable Paul Simmons said Martin put "innocent road users at risk".

He said: "We will continue our work to identify and arrest anyone who’s involved in car theft. “The court have seen fit to jail Liam Martin for his dangerous driving, putting innocent road users at risk through his reckless decision. “The offence was so serious that only a custodial sentence could be justified.” No separate penalty was given for no licence and no insurance.

As part of their commitment to tackling criminal use of roads in Essex, Essex Police's Road Crime Team were targeting patrols in the south of the county, focussing on stolen vehicles.