A van driver who led police on a high-speed chase has been jailed for 14 months.

Levi Wickham, 22, was followed by two police cars as he raced around the Langney area of Eastbourne at speeds of up to 60mph.

He came to a halt when the van hit both police vehicles before crashing into a parked car.

Wickham, of Foxglove Road, Eastbourne, was injured in the crash and his girlfriend, a passenger in the van, suffered a broken ankle.

Lewes Crown Court yesterday heard the chase started on May 17 after police tried to stop Wickham in connection with other matters.

Wickham admitted dangerous driving.

He was disqualified until June 2005 and ordered to pass an extended driving test when the ban ended.

He also admitted stealing 41 toothbrushes, worth £124, from a supermarket and stealing diesel fuel from a farm at Upper Dicker, near Hailsham.