A MAN who abandoned a stolen van leaving it to crash through a shop window causing thousands of pounds of damage has been jailed for a total of four years.

Terrence Burns admitted aggravated vehicle-taking, as well as four burglaries.

Burns, 35, of Eversley Drive, Holme Wood, also admitted handling stolen goods, after his DNA was found in a £20,000 Vauxhall Insignia car stolen from the JCT600 motor dealership in Shipley in February. He was also charged with driving while disqualified.

Bradford Crown Court heard that Burns was a drug addict at the time of the offences, which began in October last year with the stolen van, and continued this year with the burglaries.

Prosecutor Becky Jane described how a courier driver was making a delivery on Bradford Road, Guiseley, on October 30 last year, at around 2.10pm. She said he had left the engine running on his van.

“The defendant got into the driver’s side and drove off in the direction of Shipley. He raised his middle finger towards the complainant as he drove off.”

The police were called and spotted Burns driving the van. He was followed on Dockfield Road in Shipley towards the Bed Saver shop, where he abandoned the vehicle without engaging the handbrake. The van then rolled straight through a shop window, causing £12,000 damage, she said.

In February Burns broke into Black Marble software development, Cleckheaton, and stole laptops and mobile phones. The following month he stole around £10,000 worth of tools and equipment from HC Slingsby in Baildon, followed by two primary school burglaries in quick succession. At Pudsey Bolton Royd Primary School in Pudsey, he was interrupted by a cleaner and made off without taking anything. But he was able to steal £300 intended for a school trip from Knowleswood Primary School near his home, after breaking into the school’s safe.

John Bottomley, for Burns, said he was addicted to crack cocaine. “He has committed all of these offences to fund his drugs habit.”

Judge David Hatton QC said of the stolen courier van: “Happily there was no injury.”

Burns was also banned from driving for 34 months.