A thief broke into a Mercedes on a driveway before ramming the gates to get away just days after receiving a suspended prison sentence.

Andrew Niven stole the car in Bushey Heath on May 3 around 5am before crashing it on the M1 a short while later.

He then ran off before being caught by police officers further down the road.

The 43-year-old has now been put behind bars following the incident.

He appeared at St Albans Crown Court on September 15 after pleading guilty to two counts of theft from a vehicle, theft of a vehicle, criminal damage, driving without due care and attention, having no insurance, and driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence.

Prosecutor Oliver Kavanagh said Niven managed to access a driveway on Bushey Heath and stole money inside a Range Rover.

Watford Observer: Andrew Niven. Picture: Met Police.Andrew Niven. Picture: Met Police.

He then walked over to a Mercedes on the drive and managed break into it and start the car.

The court heard he drove it to the gates but they would not open – so he started to fiddle with the wiring and tried to open the gate by hand.

But when that failed, Mr Kavanagh said Niven forced his way through the gates with the car.

The defendant then drove towards Milton Keynes on the M1 but ended up crashing into a barrier when the car ran out of fuel, forcing other vehicles to swerve round.

The court heard that he got out of the car with some of the items inside and ran off.

But he was caught by police officers a bit further down the road and was arrested.

The court heard that the car was written off, with damage amounting to the value of around £24,500.

Just over £1,000 worth of damage was caused to the gate he drove through as well.

In a victim impact statement, the court heard that the family had been “devastated” by the incident and have felt the need to invest in more security.

Niven, of Scrubbitts Square, Radlett, has 39 convictions.

He had also recently been given two community orders for separate offences and on April 26 – just a few days prior to the incident - was handed a suspended prison sentence for another offence.

Defending, Nathalie Carter said there was “no excuses” for Niven’s actions but called for him to be given a chance to improve his behaviour instead of going to prison.

She said that he is exerting control over his drug habit as well and that custody would put him back at “square one”.

She added that Niven has had a difficult life and that his younger brother had also taken his own life.

But Judge Kay said it was “impossible” to impose anything other than a prison sentence.

He added that people have suffered a “great deal” due to his offending.

He imposed a custodial sentence of two years and three months and endorsed his licence with penalty points.