A PERSISTENT trouble-maker once called the “number-one problem” in Blackbird Leys has been jailed for nine driving offences.

Byron Haines, of Henley Street, East Oxford, was given an Asbo for his bad behaviour in 2009, and yesterday received a 15-month prison sentence.

Olivia Potts, prosecuting, said the 23-year-old was stopped by police driving a black Mini on February 11 this year in Donnington Bridge Road, and accelerated away into the then-flooded Abingdon Road, creating a large wave.

Then she said on March 18 he took a black Peugeot without its owner’s consent in Coleman’s Hill and once again fled from police, driving dangerously by mounting the kerb and forcing other drivers to swerve.

Miss Potts said following both events, plus another driving incident on March 1, Haines admitted three counts of driving while disqualified, three counts of driving without insurance, as well as failing to stop, aggravated vehicle taking and dangerous driving.

She added that the defendant has 26 previous convictions, including for violence, drug dealing, and repeatedly breaching his Asbo by being abusive in public.

Claire Fraser, defending, said Haines had not realised he was still disqualified from driving until he took an extended driving test.

She said he had been driving to try to earn some money legitimately but “panicked” when the police tried to stop him.

Judge Ian Pringle told Haines he had no choice but to send him to prison immediately.

He said: “Let me make this very clear – you are not allowed to drive without passing an extended driving test.”

Haines will also have to pay a £100 victims’ surcharge and will be banned from driving for three years.