A PROLIFIC burglar who was caught after a 110mph chase which ended in Chippenham town centre, has been jailed for nearly four years.

Christopher Maggs broke into 26 houses over a three-month period this summer, stealing tens of thousands of pounds worth of property.

The 28-year-old, who was on a drug treatment order, smashed into two police cars during the high-speed chase.

Swindon Crown Court heard that Maggs was spotted acting suspiciously in a vehicle which turned out to be stolen.

Alan Fuller, prosecuting, said that shortly before 5am on September 22 the police received a 999 call from a resident in Corston, near Malmesbury.

He said the householder spotted someone in the garden and then saw the vehicle across the road.

Officers spotted the car close to the M4 motorway. Maggs sped away, heading south towards Chippenham. On the dual carriageway the car reached 110mph before slowing to 70mph on the 40mph single carriage Malmesbury Road.

Mr Fuller said the car stopped, causing the police car chasing it to smash into the back. Maggs then reversed into the patrol car before setting off again.

In Deansway Maggs smashed into a fence. Officers later found property from two burglaries in the car.

Mr Fuller said that in many of the break-ins Maggs looked for the keys to the family car and drove off in it.

Maggs, of Withywood, Bristol, admitted three burglaries, dangerous driving, aggravated taking without consent, theft, failing to stop, having no licence or insurance and possessing an offensive weapon. He asked for 33 other matters to be taken into consideration, including 22 burglaries.

Robin Shellard, defending, said Maggs had become institutionalised as a result of the amount of time he had spent behind bars.

Jailing him, Recorder Jeremy Wright said: "Looking at the offences they show signs of being well planned and sophisticated. It seems to me that you are in danger of becoming a clever criminal."