A MAN who broke into a shop in Shaftesbury and later drove off in a stolen car has been jailed following swift action by officers.

Between 12.18am and 1.37am on Sunday, October 26, a break-in occurred at Central convenience store in Longmead.

A large quantity of cigarettes was stolen and the shop sustained significant damage, with the total cost estimated at around £11,000.

CCTV footage captured the burglary, and officers identified the suspect as 40-year-old local man Samuel Cooper.

Ten days later, at around 8.30am on Wednesday, November 5, Cooper noticed a car parked unattended outside the same shop, with the keys left in the ignition.

He drove off in the vehicle, which was subsequently reported stolen.

A police community support officer travelling towards Shaftesbury in an unmarked car spotted the vehicle and began following it, relaying its location to colleagues so that it could be intercepted.

When a marked police car attempted to stop the vehicle by activating its lights, Cooper failed to stop and drove at excessive speed in dangerous conditions for around ten minutes.

Due to the risk posed to other road users, officers discontinued the pursuit to prevent a collision.

Later that morning, the vehicle was found in Blandford.

Cooper attempted to flee on foot but was detained and arrested. Further checks revealed he did not hold a full driving licence and had no insurance.

Cooper pleaded guilty to burglary, taking a motor vehicle without the owner’s consent, driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence, driving without third party insurance, dangerous driving, making off without payment and failing to stop when required by a police constable.

He was sentenced to 18 months in prison at Bournemouth Crown Court on Friday, December 12.

PC Harry Chaplin, of Dorset Police, said: “Thanks to the quick work of one of our police community support officers, we were able to stay hot on the heels of the stolen vehicle and locate Cooper.

“He put other road users at risk by driving dangerously in a bid to evade police as he knew he had committed multiple crimes.”

“I am pleased that our investigation meant that Cooper was able to be put behind bars for his offending.”