A DANGEROUS driver twice rammed into police cars that were pursuing him during a dramatic car chase from Oxford to Didcot.

After Ashley Maparura abandoned his car and ran off he stormed into a stranger's home and snatched a man's clothing.

While there, the 30-year-old of Nether Jackson Court, Northampton, was punched in the face by the startled occupant before he was finally arrested.

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Maparura had already admitted a string of offences relating to the night of mayhem that took place on August 17 this year.

He was sentenced at Oxford Crown Court yesterday for dangerous driving, driving while disqualified, failing to stop and driving without insurance.

Outlining the case, prosecutor Robert Lindsey said Maparura was first spotted by police driving along Abingdon Road, Oxford in a silver Ford Focus shortly before 10pm.

Officers said the vehicle was driving 'at speed' and police went on to follow the car to Sunningwell Road.

It was there that Maparura sped off and police turned on their blue lights and siren and gave chase.

They followed the car along Abingdon Road before it turned onto Donnington Bridge Road and then right along Iffley Road.

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Maparura then rammed the police car forcing it backwards before driving off away from the city and onto the A4074.

More officers joined the chase as well as a helicopter and Maparura rammed another police car before he was followed to Didcot where he abandoned his car after the 30-minute pursuit.

He then went to a home in the town and burst inside.

Prosecutors said that the shocked occupant asked Maparura 'who the f**k are you?' before punching him to the face, knocking him to the ground.

The police arrived and he was arrested before going on to admit the offences.

It was revealed at the sentencing hearing that Maparura has a total of 52 previous crimes to his name, described as 'mostly acquisitive' and 'non-compliance with court orders.'

In mitigation, Alejandra Tascon, defending, said that her client had admitted his guilt at the first opportunity.

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She said that Maparura - a father-of-three - had developed a drugs habit following a family bereavement some years ago.

She added that it was this drugs use that led to the 'stupid and reckless behaviour' and that he ran away from police because he was frightened of being arrested and remanded in custody.

Sentencing, Judge Ian Pringle QC said: "It's difficult to think of a worse case of dangerous driving than that."

Maparura was jailed for a total of 16 months and was banned from driving for four years and must take an extended retest.

He must also pay a statutory victim surcharge.