A THIEF who led police on a hair-raising chase while driving a stolen horse box has been jailed for more than two and-a-half years.

Teesside Crown Court heard punters at a May Day Bank Holiday race meeting watched as William McClacklan jumped into the £50,000 horse box and drove off.

The vehicle, which still had its ramp protruding from the back, was driven at speed for more three miles through busy streets and at one stage tipped on to two wheels when taking a corner.

Kath Fagan, prosecuting, said owner Leslie Moorhouse had been setting up for a point-to-point meeting at Witton Castle, near Bishop Auckland, and watched in disbelief as the horse box was driven off.

People gave chase in their cars before police took over, pursuing the vehicle towards the A68 and Toft Hill.

On the way, the vehicle mounted a pavement and narrowly missed an elderly man walking his dog.

Having entered Bishop Auckland, McClacklan overtook another vehicle on the wrong side of the road.

Miss Fagan said the horsebox turned into Weardale Drive and the Woodhouse Lane estate, where it careered on, hitting a number of parked cars before eventually coming to a halt.

McClacklan, 20, of St Chad's close, Bishop Auckland, ran off but was arrested nearby.

He told police he had been threatened by associates, who he refused to name, and was asked to steal the horse box, which received several thousand pounds-worth of damage in the pursuit.

McClacklan, who was disqualified from driving at the time of the chase, admitted dangerous driving and theft.

He also asked for five other offences, including the theft of a JCB digger, to be taken into account.

He also admitted five counts of having no insurance, four of driving without a licence, and resisting arrest.

Paul Cleasby, for McClacklan, said he had reacted badly to the death of his father, with whom he had a difficult relationship, and had gone off the rails.

He said: "He is determined that this will be his first and last experience of custody."

Recorder Roger Thomas sentenced McClacklan to a total of 32 months and 14 days in jail, and said he would be disqualified from driving for a further 18 months.