A mobile phone thief who led police on a high-speed moped chase on the M11 and A406 has been jailed.

Zuriel Hutson, 21 of Higbury, weaved in and out of traffic at 90mph, often travelling in the wrong direction in November last year.

His driving caused members of the public to swerve out of his path to avoid head-on collisions and some minor road traffic incidents occurred as a result.

Hutson tried to squeeze in between two cars on the M11 but instead collided with them.

The impact forced him to crash his moped and he narrowly avoided being struck by the car behind.

Police were forced to close part of the M11 to prevent further danger to motorists.

Hutson got back up, restarted his moped and continued along the hard shoulder against oncoming traffic.

Police deployed a ‘stinger’ tyre deflation device ahead of Hutson, which safely slowed him down and eventually stopped him on the slip road of the M11 to the M25.

He then attempted to flee bare foot, but police caught up with him.

Hutson was fleeing from officers after he was spotted stealing phones on a stolen moped.

Along with his accomplis, Sharuk Sheraji, 22 of Hoxton, pedestrians were targeted has their devices snatched while making calls.

Officers from Operation Attrition - the Met’s response to moped enabled snatch offences were mobilised.

The offenders were easily spotted due to their visibly dangerous riding through the streets.

In Tottenham, Sheraji jumped off the moped and attempted to flee on foot, but was caught by officers.

He was found to be in possession of the 18 phones and was arrested.

Hutson attempted to escape on the moped onto the North Circular, but was followed by police helicopter.

Hutson, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to steal, dangerous driving and breach of a Criminal Behaviour Order at Wood Green Crown Court and was given two and a half years’ imprisonment.

Sheraji pleaded guilty to conspiracy to steal and breach of a Criminal Behaviour Order at Wood Green Crown Court and was sentenced to two years’ imprisonment.

Det Ch Insp Steve Heatley said:“This was a good result, which has seen two perpetrators of audacious thefts receive a robust judicial outcome with time in jail.

“They could have caused serious injury to the victims, the public, other motorists and themselves, in their callous execution of their crimes and attempts to evade justice – They had no regard for anyone but themselves.”