A MAN has been slapped with a six year prison sentence following a Billericay police chase.

Unemployed Timothy Shaw, 33, of no fixed abode, pleaded guilty to three counts of robbery, theft of motor vehicle, two counts of shoplifting, taking without consent and dangerous driving.

Police were called to reports that two suspects had made off in a vehicle from the Co-op store in The Pantiles, Billericay with a trolley-load of goods just before 4.50pm on January 5.

A Nissan Micra made off from officers and was spotted on Barleylands Road heading towards Basildon just before 5.20pm.

A pursuit then followed before the car was found unoccupied in Ravens Court Drive, Basildon. A man and a woman were arrested following a search of the local area.

The woman was subsequently released without charge.

Superintendent Kevin Baldwin, said: "This is a great result following an incident which could have had tragic consequences for officers involved, as well as for members of the public.

"The sentence reflects this and we will continue our work to arrest and prosecute those who commit these crimes.”

On two occasions a police car was rammed, causing significant damage and narrowly avoiding seriously injuring two officers.

He appeared at Basildon Magistrates Court on Friday (July 1) and was sentenced to a total of six years imprisonment.