Jailed: burglar who ran across M25 in bid to escape police

A burglar who ran across all six lanes of the M25 in an attempt to escape police has been jailed.

Massod Ahmed was chased and caught after a break-in during which a £25,000 Mercedes was stolen. At St Albans crown court he was jailed for 27 months and his accomplice Michael Bird was given 20 months.

The court heard the pair burgled a property in Frogmore, St Albans, on March 24, stealing the keys to the Mercedes and driving off in it. They parked a short while later in nearby Shenley but fled on foot when police suddenly arrived, having been alerted by a woman who was suspicious about the pair.

Bird ran through gardens and was soon caught. But Ahmed made it across the M25 before being captured.

The judge praised officers' persistence and awarded the woman who called them £250.

Ahmed, 35, of Crawley, was convicted of burglary. Bird, 24, of Leyton, admitted going equipped for theft and criminal damage.