A COLLECTABLE van was stolen from an Ipswich driveway by a thief who has been disqualified from driving more than 30 times.Elijah Loveridge, who stole the £1,000 Ford Transit van with an unusual tipping system, was most recently banned for three years on April 9 for aggravated vehicle taking.

A COLLECTABLE van was stolen from an Ipswich driveway by a thief who has been disqualified from driving more than 30 times.

Elijah Loveridge, who stole the £1,000 Ford Transit van with an unusual tipping system, was most recently banned for three years on April 9 for aggravated vehicle taking.

Peter Gair, prosecuting at Ipswich Crown Court, said the 32-year-old had 32 previous convictions for driving while disqualified and 31 convictions for vehicle theft related offences and had never taken a driving test in his life.

Mr Gair added that on June 13 Loveridge stole and drove away the Transit van. Its owner, Robert Vincent, became aware of the theft and pursued Loveridge along the A14 over the Orwell bridge.

Police eventually arrested Loveridge near the A1120 and he admitted stealing the van to order for a collector who would have paid him £200 for its delivery.

Alcoholic Loveridge, of Latchingdon, Essex, pleaded guilty to theft, driving while disqualified and having no insurance.

Simon Spence, mitigating, said the van had been returned undamaged to its owner.

Judge John Devaux said Loveridge would only stop offending when he became incapable of offending, either through age or illness.

Loveridge was jailed for 10 months and banned from driving for three years.