AN ADDICT stole his father’s car and drove the wrong way around Southend roads after a row over his drug use.

Adam Edwards has been given a suspended prison sentence after a rampage of dangerous driving in Southend earlier this year.

The 35-year-old, of no fixed address, who was a regular drug user at the time, was at home with his parents when an argument started over Edwards’ use of drugs.

The argument became so heated that Edwards grabbed the keys to his father’s Mercedes and stole it, driving away from the family home.

Edwards’ father then called the police. Officers were dispatched to the scene and located Edwards in the car near the home - but he sped off.

He was later caught and sentenced at Basildon Crown Court yesterday after admitting dangerous driving, aggravated vehicle taking and driving whilst disqualified.

Judge Ian Graham said: “You drove the wrong way down the road more than once.

“A lorry had to brake and swerve to avoid you.

“When driving the wrong way down the street, vehicles had to take avoiding actions.

“You have a long record of road traffic offences and dangerous driving, with three convictions for that offence.”

Mitigation for Edwards said since being remanded at Thameside Prison in February he is now free of drugs and he wants to improve himself.

It was said he still talks to his parents and wishes to help them get through the pandemic, should he be released.

Judge Graham added: “Whilst you have a poor record of poor driving and dangerous driving this is not the worst case anyone has seen, and no one was hurt and no damage was done.”

Judge Graham gave Edwards 14 months in prison suspended for two years, and he must also complete the thinking skills programme, 30 days of rehabilitation and 120 hours of unpaid work.