An unqualified driver who took his girlfriend's car without permission because he was "too lazy" to walk to the shops crashed into three vehicles and a brick wall after a police chase, a court heard.
Officers spotted Nathan Williams behind the wheel of the Seat vehicle at 10.40pm on December 23 in Frisby Road, near Uppingham Road, Leicester.
Alan Murphy, prosecuting, said the defendant drove off at about 45mph in the 30mph residential area.
"The patrol car followed him along various streets, including Houghton Street," said Mr Murphy.
"They lost sight of him until they turned into Bushby Road, where he had collided with three parked cars.
"Officers saw dust and flying debris as the defendant's car travelled along a pavement, out of control, before smashing into a lamppost and a wall."
A Mazda car with a 2008 number plate was written off and two other cars were damaged, one of them extensively.
Thousands of pounds worth of damage was caused but no total figure was available, Leicester Crown Court was told.
Mr Murphy said: "The car the defendant was driving was his partner's car.
"He said he thought it was unpleasant weather and would drive to get some cigarettes.
"It was a hire car she was using for work and had not given him permission to take it."
Williams (26), of Duncan Road, Saffron Lane, Leicester, was jailed for 10 months and banned from driving for two years.
He admitted aggravated vehicle taking of the Seat, which included driving it dangerously, and driving without a licence or insurance.
Judge Philip Head said: "Mercifully no-one was injured or killed. You made a decision, because you were too lazy to walk, to use your partner's hire car to buy cigarettes.
"Having seen the police vehicle, I accept, you panicked.
"Instead of stopping, you drove off in a built up area and completely lost control. It was pure chance no-one was hurt."
Mr Murphy said the owners of the three damaged cars found it particularly inconvenient, as it was two days before Christmas.
Barbara McDonnell, mitigating, said: "No-one knows more than him how stupid and irresponsible he was and he's fully aware of what could have happened.
"He's full of remorse and shame for what he did on that evening."
