A MAN who breached a court order by visiting his former partner went on to get drunk and take both her bank card and car, without her knowledge, a court was told.

Shane Lowther used the card five times the following day to drain the woman’s account before later becoming involved in a police chase while at the wheel of the MG ZS taken earlier.

Durham Crown Court was told Lowther was only released from prison in early May and was on post-sentence supervision when he breached a non-molestation order by visiting his ex-partner’s home in Thornley, on June 20.

Chris Baker, prosecuting, said that while at the address he got drunk and stole both her car keys and bank card, before driving away in the MG.

It was later on June 21 that police became aware of the vehicle being driven in the Darlington area and took up pursuit, applying blue lights and siren to the force vehicle.

But Lowther ignored efforts to persuade him to stop and drove dangerously on roads around the town, reaching 71-miles per hour at one point on McMullen Road, going on the wrong side of passenger refuges and in the wrong carriageway.

He eventually abandoned the vehicle and tried to make off on foot but was apprehended and then failed to provide a breath specimen for police.

The 31-year-old defendant, whose address was given as Arthur Street, in Chilton, admitted theft of the car keys and bank card, aggravated vehicle taking and fraudulent use of the card.

He previously also admitted dangerous driving, driving while disqualified, failing to provide a breath specimen, driving without insurance and breaching the non-molestation order.

The court heard he has 30 convictions for 75 offences, including many for motoring matters, plus breaching restraining and non-molestation orders.

Brian Russell, for Lowther, said on his release from prison in early May he made efforts to find work as a roofer, but did not have anywhere to stay and was living in hotel accommodation.

Mr Russell said he only went to his ex-partner’s address at her invitation, albeit knowing he was in breach of the order.

“He accepts while he was there he behaved badly. He does have an alcohol problem and got drunk that night, and he tells me what he did next was really stupid.

“Clearly there needs to be further work to deal with his drinking.”

Imposing a total two-year prison sentence, Judge Ray Singh said Lowther knew he should not attend the house that night, due to the court order, even though he was invited by his ex-partner.

The judge said Lowther then “abused the invitation” by his behaviour while at her house, getting drunk before taking the car keys and bank card.

He added that the dangerous driving was against a background of, “an appalling list of past convictions,” and so he imposed a total six-year ban from the roads.

 

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