RECKLESS car thief Tristan Singer crashed a brand new car after hurtling out of a huge compound at speeds of up to 100mph in the dead of night.
The car ended up overturned and seriously damaged when he and two other thieves audaciously tried to speed off in stolen cars after scaling a fence and waiting for the gate to open, a court heard.
Singer, 21, formerly of Duke Street, Grimsby, admitted stealing a car, dangerous driving and having no insurance and licence on December 10.
Bernard Gateshill, prosecuting, told Grimsby Crown Court that three intruders suddenly drove three new cars at speed towards the exit of a big compound, just off the A180, on the approach to the town centre, when the gate was opened just after 3am.
An Audi, valued at £33,000, sped off and has apparently never been recovered. Singer drove a Volkswagen Golf, valued at £14,000, out of the compound but "did not get very far".
He drove recklessly along the main road before braking erratically, hit a roundabout and turned over, suffering serious damage.
Police saw Singer run off after getting out of the car. He was later arrested.
The speeds of the two cars that did get out of the compound were estimated by police to be between 80mph and 100mph, said Mr Gateshill.
A third driver, in a Skoda, valued at £11,000, tried to drive out of the compound gate but failed to get out in time. The car was damaged beyond repair and other cars in the yard were damaged as the three drivers hurtled between cars towards the front gate.
The gate suffered damage estimated at £2,500. The other two drivers have not been arrested.
Michael Culshaw, mitigating, said Singer was unemployed and suffering a drug addiction at the time. He went along with the escapade but it ended up with "disastrous consequences".
Singer had been promised £500 for his role but was putting himself at great risk because he had very little experience of driving cars.
Judge Robert Moore told Singer: "For the promise of £500, you joined a carefully planned operation. You drove so badly and wildly, you crashed and could have killed yourself."
Singer was jailed for two years and was banned from driving for a year. He must pass an extended retest.
