A man from Sheerwater has pleaded guilty after he broke into a family home and stole their car before crashing it and making off from the scene.

William Dawes, 52, of Devonshire Avenue, appeared at Staines Magistrates Court on 1 August, charged with burglary, aggravated vehicle taking, failing to stop at the scene of an accident, and driving with no licence and no insurance.

Dawes pleaded guilty to all charges and is due to be sentenced at Guildford Crown Court on 4 September.

Dawes broke into a house on Bentham Avenue, Sheerwater, on the morning of 30 July. Inside the house he stole a phone, bank card and keys for a Peugeot 206, which he then drove away.

At 10am, the vehicle was involved in a road collision with a Range Rover in Pembroke Road, Woking, which caused the road to be closed for a period of time. Dawes made off on foot from the scene of the accident, but was followed by members of the public and detained by police.

Detective Constable Richard Pegden, who led the investigation, said: “The actions of this one individual have had huge consequences for a number of others, particularly the residents of the house Dawes broke into, and the family involved in the collision with the Peugeot.

“Thankfully the family, including young children, in the Range Rover were not seriously injured. I must commend the members of the public who followed this male, and allowed officers to detain him so quickly. Due to their quick thinking, we have been able to swiftly get Dawes into court.”

He is on conditional bail until his sentencing.