A PROLIFIC Oxford car thief, whose sentencing was delayed by a judge over the 'very poor' quality of a report from the probation service, is back in court today.

Joseph Holden appeared before Judge Peter Ross at Oxford Crown Court on November 2 after pleading guilty to a string of motoring offences in Headington and Cowley Road.

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He was caught on April 8 this year and charged with aggravated vehicle theft, driving while disqualified, handling stolen goods and driving with no insurance.

The 25-year-old, of no fixed abode, remained in custody though after Judge Ross said that without a proper pre-sentence report: "I can't pass the sentence I believe to be right."

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Such reports are carried out to provide courts with more information about the background of the offender and looks at treatment options for any mental health or addiction issues they may have.

It is not the first time Holden has been before the courts for driving offences, having led police on a 100mph chase in his mother's stolen hire car when he was aged 17, eventually crashing after Heyford Hill Roundabout.

While still on bail for that theft he went on to steal a £32,000 Mercedes and he was finally jailed in 2013 after he drove the wrong way on the A34 during a police chase in a stolen Ford Fiesta.