A burglar was caught after he crashed a car stolen from outside the victim’s home into a parked vehicle.

Police had been alerted after the householder awoke and discovered that her handbag had been stolen from downstairs while she was asleep upstairs, Liverpool Crown Court was told.

Keys to two cars, a BMW and a Vauxhall Agila had also been taken in the raid.

Less than two hours later, at about 8.40am on March 10, police saw the BMW parked in Breck Close, Birkenhead, and noticed the Vauxhall being manoeuvred at the other end of the road said Neil Biswara, prosecuting.

It was being driven by drug addict Matthew Gill who then ignored police signals to stop and officers pursued the vehicle, in which his girlfriend Roxanne Glorman, was the front seat passenger.

“It drove along Laird Street at 50mph, which has a 30mph limit, and went through a red traffic light without slowing. It then went along Brill Street where it drove into a parked vehicle,” said Mr Biswara.

30-year-old Gill ran off leaving Glorman behind and she told officers who the driver had been.

Between the burglary and the car crash the couple had been involved in obtaining items from various local shops using the victim’s two credit cards.

Gill, formerly of Bridge Street, Birkenhead, pleaded guilty to breaking into the house in Bidston Avenue, Claughton, as well as fraud, stealing two motor cars, two shop lifting offences, driving dangerously, without insurance and while disqualified.

The court heard that he his previous convictions included 43 for dishonesty and two burglaries.

Judge Alan Conrad, QC jailed him for four years and banned him driving for five years. “You have a bad record and this was a serious burglary where a house was entered at night while the householder was asleep and valuable property was taken.”

Glorman, 27, of New Ferry Road, New Ferry, pleaded guilty to obtaining property by false representation and was jailed for 16 months.

The court heard that she also had previous convictions.

Mr Biswara said that when she was interviewed she said she “could not remember anything” about the offence because of her drug habit which cost her £150 a day.

Anna Duke, defending, said that Gill realised he would receive a lengthy sentence and knows he must address his drug problem.

While in custody he has been on a drug reduction programme.

Miss Duke said that Glorman, who like Gill appeared at court via video link, was on a fast drug reduction course and it was hoped she would be off methadone in six weeks.

“She wants to do something about her drug addiction for once and for all.”