Gang in 100mph car chase is jailed

Three burglars who raided a shop in Stafford were chased at 100mph in a stolen getaway car down the wrong side of the dual carriageway into Wolverhampton, a court heard.

The gang used an iron bar to force the shutters of Costcutter in Sidney Avenue, smashed the window causing more than £1,000 worth of damage and stole the till drawer containing more than £500.

Mr Nick Burn, prosecuting, told Stafford crown court the £27,000 Audi getaway car had been stolen by one of the gang, Stephen Cain.

Police chased it down the A449 at speeds of up to 100mph. The gang abandoned it it Tettenhall, Wolverhampton, but they were arrested.

Cain, aged 21, of Lambeth Close, Bilston, was jailed for four and a half years after admitting two charges of burglary and aggravated vehicle taking.

The other raiders were Stephen Keats, 21, of no fixed address, who was jailed for two years, and Dean Turner, 20, of Minsterley Close, Bradmore, Wolverhampton, who got 32 months. Both admitted burglary and aggravated vehicle taking.

Turner, Cain's brother, also admitted burgling a garden centre and attempted burglary at Bantock Balti, both in Wolverhampton.