A THIEF described by a judge as having probably the worst criminal record he had ever seen is back behind bars after embarking on another crime spree.

William Bogie, of Kirkstone Close, Houghton-le-Spring, Wearside, has clocked up 185 convictions since 1990 - 96 of them for theft.

Bogie, 23, who pleaded guilty to obtaining by deception, theft, going equipped for theft and aggravated vehicle taking, was jailed for three years by Newcastle Crown Court.

The court heard that he had been released from an 18-month sentence on licence in March last year, but by the July he had already started to reoffend.

The court was told that his latest crime spree was cut short when he sparked a high speed police chase around Sunderland city centre after he and friends took a car in Hartlepool.

James Adkin, prosecuting, said they refused to stop for the police and drove at speeds of more than 60mph over Queen Alexandra Bridge, driving the wrong way around roundabouts and on the wrong side of the road.

They were only caught when a police helicopter was drafted in.

Last July, Bogie stole a pensioner's handbag containing £57 and credit cards from a community centre car park, in Washington, Wearside.

Later, he tried to buy cigarettes using a stolen credit card and broke into a car, taking more than £300 worth of sporting equipment and tools. He also admitted going equipped for theft in September.

Bogie had also been sentenced to community punishment orders by Sunderland magistrates for another two further offences committed within weeks of his release.

Defence barrister Shaun Routledge said Bogie was determined to lead a normal life.

But Mr Recorder Eccles told Bogie: "You have one of the worse criminal records I have ever come across, probably the worst I have ever seen."