A FATHER has been jailed after stealing a lorry and driving the wrong way up the A13 - sparking a police chase.

Benjamin Waterton, 22, tricked the HGV driver into stopping by pretending to lay hurt at the side of the road.

He then punched the man before taking the lorry on an hour-long drive. Basildon Crown Court heard how during a 25 mile police chase around Brentwood and Thurrock, Waterton drove dangerously along a number of back roads before driving in the wrong direction along the A13.

Waterton claims he does not remember much about the incident, which took place in the early hours of September 20, because he took a cocktail of alcohol and cocaine.

Judge Owen Davies said: “For the main part of your rampage you left a trail of bricks and debris behind you and part of a wall was damaged. You went through at least two red lights and went at speeds which you never should have. But more seriously you went down the A13 the wrong way. A collision with a seven and a half tonne lorry would no doubt have been fatal for you or an innocent driver.”

Waterton pleaded guilty to robbery, driving while disqualified and without insurance, dangerous driving and failing to provide a specimen to police.

Waterton, of Pollards Walk, in Sidcup, Kent, was sentenced to a total of five years in prison- four years for theft of the £30,000 lorry and one year for dangerous driving. The father of one has also been disqualified from driving for ten years.