DIgger thief jailed

A ROTHERHAM man crashed a digger through a compound fence, jumped out and made off on foot after a low-speed police chase, a court heard.

As the heavy machine trundled onto the offside of the road officers scrambled onto it to bring it under control.

Rogue driver Gareth Twigg (23), was eventually arrested and this week started a nine-month jail sentence following the incident in Rugby, Warwickshire.

At Warwick Crown Court Twigg, of Farquaher Road, Maltby, pleaded guilty to stealing the digger from a construction site compound in July.

Twigg, who also admitted damaging the compound fence and dangerous driving, was banned from driving for 18 months.