A dangerous driver crashed a car after leaving a party, damaging a gas main and four parked cars, a court heard.

Adeniyi Bakare was seen sitting in the badly damaged Vauxhall Insignia in Canterbury Road, Faversham, at 5.30am on July 20 this year.

Residents came out of their homes to find their cars had been hit. Residents had to be evacuated while Southern Gas made the damaged pipe safe.

Maidstone Crown Court was told it was discovered the car had been hired from Pierremonts in Ramsgate by the 30-year-old’s friend Edward Wardle.

Mr Wardle had been to a party but left early in a taxi because he was not feeling well and Bakare took the car keys.

Prosecutor Trevor Wright said after the crash Bakare kept claiming he had not been driving and said he had money.He tried to start the car.

“The vehicle had serious front-end damage, so it was unlikely that it would move,” said Mr Wright. “A witness, Michelle Bicker, took the keys.”

Bakare tried to snatch them back, but failed and then ran off and hid in bushes.

After his arrest he refused to take a breath test or give his address. He only had a provisional driving licence.

Bakare, of Foster Close, Bromley, admitted dangerous driving, failing to provide a specimen of breath and driving without a licence and insurance.

He was jailed for 12 months and banned from driving for five years.

Judge Martin Joy said there was evidence Bakare had been travelling at 100mph before he crashed.

He said: “You caused damage and huge distress to at least one woman who was pregnant.

“You caused major financial loss to many people.”

The judge said Bakare had previously been involved in serious crime including robbery, possessing weapons, wounding and drugs.

He had kept out of trouble since 2009 and carried out charitable work.

But Judge Joy continued: “The reality is these are extremely serious offences. I have had to consider the considerable damage caused.”

Bakare will have to taken an extended driving test before he will be allowed back on the road.