A 35-year-old man who drove a stolen car the wrong way down Cowley Road has been jailed for 13 months and disqualified from driving for three years.

Robert Wells, of North Way, Headington, took his ex-girlfriend’s car and crashed it.

He admitted aggravated vehicle taking between Temple Road and Campbell Road of a Vauxhall Zafira, driving while disqualified and using a vehicle without insurance on September 14 when he appeared at Oxford Crown Court.

Wells, who runs his own painting, building and decorating company, also admitted using violence to secure entry to a house.

Judge Mary Jane Mowat said: “Having entered an ex-partner’s house without her permission you took her car key from her bag. You were in drink. You drove it dangerously when you realised the police were on to you.

“You drove in a crowded area – Cowley Road. You crashed with a car being driven by a learner driver.”

John Reilly, defending, said: “He was a binge drinker. He now realises that that sort of life is absolutely hopeless and has got him in trouble time and time again.”

Judge Mowat added: “You endangered members of the public in the road.

“And you have a record of driving offences going back quite a long way.

“I am told you have got to conquer the drink. I hope you do.”

Wells, who is a father-of-two, denied a charge of burglary in Old Road, Headington, on September 14 and the Crown has let it lie on file.