A banned driver once dubbed a “one-man crimewave” led police on an hour-long chase through several Kent villages at speeds of more than 100mph.

Robbie Murray's desperate bid to shake off pursuing patrol vehicles and even the force helicopter also saw him driving the stolen Peugeot 208 on the wrong side of the road, ignoring a one-way sign, and heading into oncoming traffic in Canterbury city centre.

The 23-year-old, who has notched up a staggering 27 previous convictions for 68 crimes despite his young age, had been spotted at the wheel of the pink Champagne-coloured vehicle on January 2.

But after failing to stop for police in Worth, near Sandwich, he made off, reaching the breathtaking speeds as he journeyed through the villages of Ash, Wingham, Goodnestone and Fordwich trying to evade capture.

So lengthy was the chase that different officers took over from each other at the halfway stage, Canterbury Crown Court was told.

When the prolific offender was finally stopped in his tracks in Sturry Road, Canterbury, he revealed he had taken the class B drug amphetamine - known for its stimulant effect.

It was also discovered that he was under police investigation at the time in relation to the theft of a motorbike which he had been caught riding by the owner just two days after it had been taken.

Murray, formerly from Thanington in Canterbury but now of no fixed address, later admitted dangerous driving, driving while disqualified and without insurance, failing to provide specimens of breath and blood, two offences of handling stolen goods and one of possessing cannabis.

The court heard that a psychiatrist, in preparing a report for the sentencing hearing, described him as "having not outgrown his delinquent adolescence".

Prosecutor Bridget Todd said the chase was triggered by members of the public seeing blood-stained items being dumped from the Peugeot - which had been stolen between December 30 and January 2 - and onto private property.

Police tracked down the car but Murray became verbally abusive and drove off. He then ignored all attempts to stop him for the next 58 minutes.

"One officer described following the vehicle in pursuit for some half-an-hour and then a colleague for another half-an-hour," said Miss Todd.

"The defendant exceeded 100mph on various roads and bends, and continued for quite some time through numerous villages.

"He made a deliberate decision to ignore police and there was a prolonged and deliberate course of dangerous driving and manoeuvres."

Having been briefly thwarted by Murray heading the wrong way down a one-way street, police eventually caught up with him in Sturry Road after seeing him decamping from the Peugeot.

"He was arrested and taken back to Canterbury police station where he admitted he had taken amphetamine. He was asked to provide a sample but refused to give both breath and blood samples," added Miss Todd.

The court heard that Murray was not only subject to a one-year driving ban imposed in May last year but also a suspended sentence order for an offence of battery.

He was also being investigated in relation to a motorbike theft from outside Poundland off Marshwood Close, Canterbury, on December 5.

Murray had been arrested after the owner, stunned to spot his missing vehicle two days later, promptly alerted police to its rider and whereabouts.

"The owner was in his other vehicle going to a petrol station in Sturry when - and to his amazement and astonishment - the stolen motorcycle appeared in the bay in front of him," explained Miss Todd.

"He saw the defendant get off and go inside, and then get back on, and so followed him to the Co-op in Sturry Road while maintaining contact with the police operator.

"Officers arrived, arrested the defendant and found a small amount of cannabis for personal use."

Phil Rowley, defending, told the court Murray had had "a very sad and difficult start in life" but had "well-founded" plans for his future which include learning a motor mechanics trade.

"He is sensible to know he needs to make a fresh start, get away from Kent and away from those he has associated with in the past," added the lawyer.

A previous report on KentOnline of Murray's appearance at the same court in 2019 detailed how he was labelled a "one-man crimewave" after racking up 40 offences before his 20th birthday.

In February this year, he even leapt from the dock during another hearing and had to be tackled by a clerk as he tried to make a run for the door.

Sentencing on his latest wrongdoings had been adjourned in June by Judge Simon Taylor KC for the preparation of reports and in the hope a community-based punishment could be imposed for what was described as "a very bad example" of dangerous driving.

But on Thursday Murray was told that was not possible due to the continuing risk of serious harm he posed to the public.

Jailing him therefore for a total of 26 months, with a 38-month driving ban, the judge said: "I am driven to the conclusion that the only sentence in this case is one of immediate custody because there is no prospect of realistic rehabilitation at this time."