A man with a "truly appalling record" who stole a van he then nearly ran over a pedestrian with has been jailed.

Martin McDonagh appeared at Minshull Street Crown Court on Wednesday, July 24, to be sentenced for breaching a restraining order, criminal damage, failing to surrender to court at an appointed time, stealing a van, driving dangerously, stealing from a vehicle, handling stolen goods, making off without payment and two counts of driving without insurance.

Katie Lord, prosecuting, told the court that on November 11 last year, McDonagh breached a restraining order by showing up to homes in both Oldham and Sheffield, which he was banned from attending as part of the order.

While at the home in Sheffield, the 34-year-old gained entry into the property and caused £50 worth of damage to a curtain rod.

McDonagh, of Siddall Street, Oldham, was arrested for the offences and was granted bail, however, he failed to show up to Sheffield Magistrates' Court on January 5 this year when he was ordered to attend court.

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McDonagh's second set of offences began on March 25, when he stole a Renault Master van in Oldham belonging to a man who used the van as part of his employment.

As he drove off in the stolen van, McDonagh committed the first of two driving without insurance offences.

On April 3, he committed a series of other offences, which included stealing £1,000 worth of gardening equipment from a van which was used by a man as part of his employment.

McDonagh also made off from a petrol station after not paying for £35 worth of fuel and once again drove without insurance.

His most serious offence came as he drove dangerously in Oldham, at one point mounting a pavement and narrowly missing a pedestrian.

At the time, McDonagh was also handling stolen work tools belonging to another man.

Defending, Salek Ahmed said that McDonagh, who is a father of three children, regretted his offending and felt "genuine remorse".

He added that McDonagh struggled with issues involving alcohol.

When passing sentence, Judge Jonathan Seely told McDonagh that he had a "truly appalling" criminal record and said he felt nothing he could say "would have the slightest effect at all".

He jailed McDonagh for four years and three months for his offending and disqualified him from driving for 38 months from his release.

McDonagh must also take an extended retest before he can drive again.