Shoplifting spree thief in car chase

A CRIMINAL who has been before the courts for more than 100 offences went on a shoplifting spree and led police on a high-speed chase.

Anthony Mais stole handbags worth £1,000 during the series of thefts and hit 80mph as he fled from two police cars before losing control and crashing into a railway bridge.

Looking at his criminal record, Recorder Peter Griffiths QC said: “It goes on and on.”

Cardiff Crown Court heard the first theft occurred at TK Maxx in Llantrisant on May 9 when the defendant stole three shirts worth £39.99 each. Three days later, he took a shaver from Boots.

Byron Broadstock, prosecuting, said Mais committed a series of driving offences on July 16.

The court heard a police officer was patrolling the A48 near Usk Way when he saw the defendant in a silver Renault Megane.

Prosecutors said Mais sped up on Cardiff Road, before driving straight through a red light.

The officer put on his blue flashing lights, but the defendant failed to stop, accelerating to 60mph in a built-up 30mph zone.

Mr Broadstock said he went into a bus lane, hitting 80mph, before losing control on a bend, skidding across the carriageway and hitting a railway bridge.

Mais accepted he had taken cannabis and cocaine in the days before the incident, but refused to give a blood sample, stating he did not like needles.

He failed to surrender to bail at Merthyr Tydfil Magistrates’ Court on August 4.

Prosecutors said 10 days later, he stole two bottles of alcohol worth £80 from the shop at St Fagans National Museum of History.

The following day he took handbags worth £1,000 from TK Maxx in Talbot Green.

Mais stole 12 bottles of wine from Co-op in Llanishen on August 12, two bottles of whisky from St Fagans on August 22 and two bottles of wine from Co-op in Canton on September 4.

The 37-year-old, of Bishop Hannon Drive in Cardiff, admitted seven counts of theft from a shop.

He also admitted driving dangerously, driving while disqualified, with no insurance, failing to stop, failing to provide a specimen and two counts of failing to surrender.

Prosecutors said he had a “lengthy” criminal record, comprising 32 convictions for 105 offences.

Jonathan Lewis, defending, said: “For as long as he can remember, he has struggled with one addiction or another.”

He told the court his client had reached a crossroad in his life, adding: “He knows he needs to knuckle down.”

Recorder Griffiths told the defendant: “It does not need me to tell you that you have got an appalling record.”

Mais was jailed for 22 months and disqualified from driving for five years.