RICHARD Martin's smash-and-grab raid was doomed from the moment he selected his getaway car - a bright purple Triumph Spitfire.

Within minutes of the raid being reported, police were on his tail, Warrington Crown Court heard.

"The car was not the most unobtrusive on the road," said Peter Moss, prosecuting.

Martin, a Warrington man of no fixed address, appeared for sentence after being convicted of burglary at an earlier hearing and was jailed for 18 months.

Mr Moss told the court Martin and another man smashed a £2,000 display window at a shop specialising in antique clocks. Passersby saw them taking three clocks worth £700 from the window and one, Mr John Swallows, gave chase. He saw the burglars get into the purple sports car and noted the registration number.

Police were swiftly on the car's trail and saw it stop outside a house. Martin was arrested and the clocks were recovered.

Martin denied involvement but was picked out from an identity parade by Mr Swallows. A jury subsequently found him guilty.

Charles Lamb, defending, said at the time Martin was suffering from appalling drug addiction. But he was now drug free.

Judge David Hale said Martin had committed the offence only four weeks after being released from prison for an earlier offence. He awarded Mr Swallows £150 for his public spirited action.

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