A thief has admitted stealing a car which ended up stuck on a pavement after crashing into parked vehicles in icy conditions.

James Harris, of no fixed address, was at the wheel of the Toyota Aygo when it mounted a pavement in an effort to evade capture in Swanscombe.

The vehicle collided with parked vehicles in Herbert Road and was later abandoned outside a house.

It was taken while its engine was running from a driveway in Phoenix Place, Dartford, at around 8am on Tuesday.

At 8.20am officers on patrol spotted the vehicle in Milton Road, Swanscombe and followed it in a marked police car.

He drove away from police and travelled in the wrong direction in a one-way street.

Harris, 29, was arrested and later charged with theft of a motor vehicle, dangerous driving, and driving without a licence or insurance, along with other unrelated offences.

He appeared before Medway Magistrates’ Court yesterday and after pleading guilty was remanded in custody.

Harris will be sentenced at Maidstone Crown Court on a date yet to be confirmed.