A MAN has been jailed for 13 months after trying to flee from police in a van whilst banned from driving.

Police discovered Tamer Ahmet, 21, of Chingford, had a stolen Audi A3 sports car on the front drive of his home.

He was caught after he knocked on the door of a home in Friars Walk, New Southgate, saying he was “looking for Michael”.

As he did so his accomplice jumped the back fence and was spotted coming from the back garden of the home by a neighbour.

The pair left empty handed and got into a Vauxhall Combi van, but the suspicious neighbour took down the registration number and called police.

Officers found the van in a nearby street, but when they signalled Ahmet to pull over he sped off, hitting high speeds in residential roads and braking so hard he caused plumes of smoke to come from the tyres.

Eventually the pair jumped out while the van was still moving in Cedar Rise, but after ba short chase and a struggle Ahmet was caught by police, who found he had a hammer and a key to the stolen Audi.

He had been barred from driving for 12 months the previous August and on Monday he pleaded guilty to handling stolen goods, dangerous driving and driving whilst disqualified at Wood Green Crown Court.

Officer in the case Detective Constable Tom Collins said: “This incident was bought to the attention of the police thanks to the vigilance of the local community.

“This is a close knit neighbourhood and this is a fine example of people looking out for each other and working with the police.

“Ahmet drove in a reckless manner through residential streets and this was a particularly dangerous incident that put the public and officers at risk.

“It was the professionalism of the uniformed officers that ensured that the vehicle was bought to a stop without damage or harm being caused.”

“Ahmet has ignored a driving ban, engaged in driving that was heedless of the risk to others and made use of stolen property; his conviction is warranted and the custodial sentence deserved.”