A DRUNKEN thief who ploughed a stolen car into the back of BMW and tried to run away has been banned from driving for three years.

Louis Walker, 25, admitted drink-driving, taking a vehicle without consent, failing to stop at a crash and driving without a licence or insurance when he appeared at Basildon Magistrates’ Court.

The court heard how, on August 20, last year, a BMW driver had been stationary at traffic lights along the B1007 in Stanford-le-Hope when he noticed in his rear-view mirror a Citroen Picasso, being driven by Walker, coming towards him at speed.

Walker, who was intoxicated at the wheel, crashed the Citroen - his friend’s mum’s car - into the back of the BMW, causing £5,000 worth of damage.

Prosecuting, Bob Rowlingson, said: “Because of the speed of the vehicle, the BMW was struck and was pushed forward.”

The BMW driver, who was fortunately unhurt, got out of his car and approached Walker and found that he was “slurring his speech”.

Mr Rowlingson added: “He believed that Walker was under the influence of drink or drugs so he called the police.”

Before the police arrived, Walker ran off from the scene in a nearby field - but the officers soon found him.

Walker, of Wellington Road, Blackpool, was then arrested and taken into police custody where he was later charged.

The court heard how no injuries were caused to either driver but £5,000 damage was caused to the BMW while the Citroen was completely written off.

Mr Rowlingson added that Walker had been staying at a friend’s house in Stanford-le-Hope, while down from where he lives in a hotel in Blackpool, when he decided to steal his friend’s mum’s car.

He said: “He was staying at the owner’s house the previous evening and the son of the owner was at the address.

“The mother, who owned the vehicle, was on holiday.

“When the son woke up the following day, the vehicle and Walker were gone.”

Standing before magistrates, Walker managed to avoid being sent to prison.

He was sentenced to 26 weeks imprisonment, but this was suspended for 18 months.

Walker was additionally made to pay a £115 victim surcharge, £85 in court costs and was also disqualified from having a driving licence for three years.