A MAN who made off from police and crashed his car following the theft of high-value bicycles in Harrogate has been jailed.

Anthony Stephen Copeland, 27, of Farnworth, Bolton, pleaded guilty at Manchester Crown Court to handling stolen goods, two counts of dangerous driving and possessing a class B drug.

He was sentenced to 15 and eight months’ imprisonment for the driving offences, and 15 months for handling, to run concurrently.

North Yorkshire Police traffic officers on routine patrol tried to stop Copeland’s car in Harrogate in the early hours of Monday, November 17.

A spokesman said the car crashed into bollards and the driver made off on foot. Officers found three bikes, worth about £2,750 inside the car. The bikes had been reported stolen from Harrogate the previous day, and were returned to their owner.

Nationwide inquiries and appeals were made to locate Copeland. He was arrested in Manchester on January 27, 2015 – having again failed to stop, crashing his vehicle.

DC Quita Passmore, of Harrogate CID, said: “I am pleased Copeland has been handed a significant prison sentence that reflects the serious nature of his offending.

“This case highlights our commitment to tracking down and bringing offenders to justice, and residents can be reassured we will relentlessly pursue criminals who travel to North Yorkshire intent on committing crime.”