A NOTORIOUS car thief has been jailed for almost running over a woman as she tried to stop him driving off in her pickup truck on a farm near Taunton.

Jeremy Hector, who has 312 convictions including more than 70 for driving while disqualified, achieved national notoriety three years ago when he took a young mother's car with her 14-month-old baby on the back seat.

And he was on prison licence and banned from driving when he sneaked into a farmhouse near Taunton and took the keys to a Toyota pick-up.

Farmer Cathryn Haywood ran out to stop him but he threw her to the ground and set off while her legs were still trapped beneath the wheels of the truck.

Her partner Phillip Norman and neighbours spotted the danger and rushed to prevent Hector driving away while pulling her to safety.

Homeless Hector, aged 49, previously of Richmond Close, Sampford Peverell, near Tiverton, was found guilty of burglary, taking a vehicle without consent, assault by battery and driving while disqualified.

His trial was at Taunton Crown Court in February but Hector was sentenced at Exeter Crown Court by Judge Graham Cottle, who conducted the original trial.

He jailed Hector for a total of 15 months and told him:"You saw a vehicle in the driveway of the farm. The front door was partially open and you reached inside and took the keys.

"Miss Haywood, who lived there with her partner Mr Norman and two children aged seven and 14, gave chase as you were manouevring the car in the narrow lane.

"She came to the driver's side to remonstrate with you and your reaction was to push her away and a result of which she fell on the ground with her legs underneath the vehicle.

"It was a situation which was extremely dangerous and frightening for her. Her husband came to the scene and assisted.

"You have not changed over the years. When you are released from prison it is only a short time before you offend again. Only you can decide to break your cycle of offending."

Miss Francesca Whebell, prosecuting, said Mr Norman and neighbours came to Miss Haywood's rescue after she tried to stop Hector driving away from Basses Farm at Upton, near Taunton, on the afternoon of Saturday September 12 last year.

She said:"This was a very distressing and frightening incident for the victim which could have been far more serious.

"The victim says it has had an effect on the whole family. They feel there has been an intrusion into their home, which should be the most safe place for them."

She said Hector has convictions for 312 previous offences. These include dozens for driving while disqualified, even though he has never passed a test.

At the time of this incident he had been released early on licence from a 22-month sentence passed at Taunton Crown Court in June 2014 for burglary, aggravated vehicle taking, driving while disqualified and making off without payment.

He has previously been jailed at Exeter Crown Court for taking a car from King Street in Tiverton with a 14-month child in the back seat in June 2013.

The baby's mother left her car for a few minutes while delivering meals on wheels. Hector saw her five-year-old son in the car, took him out, and left him on the pavement.

He then drove for a mile and a half around the centre of Tiverton before he realised there was a baby in the back. He went back to King Street where he left the child on the pavement before driving away again.

Mr Lawrence Wilcox, defending, said Hector has already spent seven months in custody on remand or recall and is keen to receive help for his compulsion with cars. He said he is almost 50 and keen to change his ways.