A thief who broke into a building site and stole £600 of insulation, led police on a high speed chase as he fled the scene with two young children in his car.

William Dallas, 33, broke into the site in Romany Road, Twydall, on February 12, but was spotted by a member of the public climbing over a fence with three packs of the insulation and the police were called.

As officers got near the scene they located Dallas at the wheel of a Kia vehicle and ordered him to pull over in nearby Pump Lane, however, he sped-off and police started pursuing him.

As they followed him Dallas, who used to live in Chatham, but now lives in Saffron Way, Sittingbourne, drove at speeds of 70mph in 30mph zones and drove fast around corners in Pump Lane, The Street and Forge Lane, in Gillingham.

He eventually stopped when he crashed into a ditch and ran off, but was caught by officers has he tried to flee.

It was not revealed where the children were when Dallas ran from the vehicle.

After being arrested police found he didn't have a licence or insurance to drive and thought he might be under the influence of drugs, but Dallas refused to provide a specimen.

He was charged with burglary, dangerous driving, failing to stop, failing to provide a specimen for analysis and driving without a licence and insurance and admitted all the offences when he appeared at Medway Magistrates' Court on October 6.

Victoria McGrady prosecuting said: "He was spotted climbing over the fence and had stolen three packs of insulation which was valued at £600 and a member of the public made a 999 call.

"Police ordered him to pull over when they located his vehicle but he sped-off.

"The pursuit lasted six minutes and there were two child passengers in the car.

"The vehicle ended up in a ditch and he ran from the scene but was caught by officers.

"He made no comment during interview and was asked for specimen for analysis but refused to comply with the procedure.

"He was also found to have no licence or insurance."

District Judge Stephen Leake placed Dallas on an interim driving ban and adjourned sentencing and ordered a pre-sentencing report to be carried out on him.

He also decided to send the case to Maidstone Crown Court for sentencing on a date yet to be set.