A COCAINE user who raided a children’s play area, handled a stolen Jaguar and took police on a “dangerous” chase through Southampton has been jailed.

Mark Brady attempted to break in to a safe in Jeffries Jungle, in Sholing, after smashing his way into the building with two other men.

He also led police on a long car chase through Southampton, speeding through red lights up to 50mph along residential roadsresidential roads.

The 26-year-old even mounted a footpath in his car in an attempt to get away from police, showing what a judge described as “total and utter disregard” for other road users.

Brady pleaded guilty to dangerous driving and burglary.

He also admitted to handling a stolen Jaguar from a car garage near Westquay, after police found his fingerprints on the steering wheel.

Appearing before Judge Peter Henry, Brady he was sentenced to 25 months in prison for the three offences.

Prosecuting, Anthony Bailey said how Brady had committed the dangerous driving offence while “at large” – having been recalled to prison for a previous offence.

He was spotted by police while driving a Vauxhall Vectra on Rownhams Lane in May last year.

Police began pursuing the car, but Brady continued to speed up as he raced through Lordshill.

Driving through red lights and “bullying” his way through junctions, Brady eventually turned into the small residential road – narrowly missing an oncoming vehicle.

Reaching a dead-end, Brady mounted his car onto the pavement, before driving onto a grass play area.

Mr Bailey said: “He continued down a small path and at that stage officers gave up the chase because they felt it was too dangerous.”

The court heard how in August, Brady was one of three men involved in an overnight raid at soft play area, Jeffries Jungle.

The trio broke a window, kicked through a door and smashed an alarm control box during the burglary.

The group had a sack truck to lift an office safe – only to find it was bolted to the floor.

According to Mr Bailey, the raid cost the business £2,000 in repairs, alarm callout fees and lost trade.

Defending, Brady, Jamie Gammon said his client had abused cocaine.

He said that Brady, a serial offender from a young age, had made efforts to turn his life around and had worked towards a cooking qualification during his last prison spell.

In sentencing, Judge Henry said Brady had a “terrible” record of offending and didn’t have “much regard” for court orders.

He added: “You say you now have a changed attitude and I hope that is true, but I have to meet these very serious offences with a custodial sentence.

“(In the chase) you showed total and utter disregard to others and their safety. That sort of driving could so easily have led to serious injury or death.”

Judge Henry sentenced Brady to 15 months for the driving offence, 10 months consecutive for the burglary and a further three months for handling the stolen Jaguar.

He also banned Brady from driving for three years – which will start on his release.