A man who drove a stolen car dangerously through a town centre while trying to flee police has been jailed.

Christopher Williams was spotted acting suspiciously as he walked from a Nissan Qashqai parked outside Maidstone East railway station on September 20.

When plain clothed officers in an unmarked car pulled up alongside the 27-year-old at traffic lights in Fairmeadow and asked him to pull over.

Williams suddenly drove off at speed and turned into the High Street where the car accelerated through the 20mph restricted traffic zone into Pudding Lane.

The officers followed the route he had taken and found his car crashed into another vehicle when he had attempted to turn back onto Fairmeadow.

Williams was not present and members of the public directed patrols towards James Whatman Way where he was spotted crouching behind a parked car.

He was arrested and when the car was examined it was found to be stolen and displaying false number plates.

He was later charged with dangerous driving, driving without insurance and handling stolen property.

"I would like to commend the members of the public who directed us to Williams after he ran from the scene of the collision" - DC Tim Murrell

Appearing at Canterbury Crown Court Williams of Brixton Hill, London pleaded guilty and was sentenced to two years, two months and two days in prison.

Investigating officer, DC Tim Murrell said: "Williams drove a stolen car in an extremely dangerous manner and could have caused serious injury or worse.

"He was spotted by plain clothed officers in unmarked police cars who are always alert for those who seek to commit crime in Maidstone.

"It is only right the manner of his driving has led to a prison sentence.

"I would particularly like to commend the members of the public who directed us to Williams after he ran from the scene of the collision."