A van thief who caused a three-vehicle crash when he drove the wrong way along a dual carriageway has been jailed.

Nottinghamshire Police said George Buck drove a Ford Mondeo – which had been used to tow a stolen van – southbound along the northbound carriage of the A1 near Blyth, before the vehicle collided with a Peugeot car and a van a short time later.

The van driver as well as three occupants of the Mondeo suffered serious injuries, with the Peugeot driver sustaining minor injuries, police added.

Buck, of Stockbridge Lane, Bentley, Doncaster, was sentenced to four years and four months in jail at Nottingham Crown Court on Monday.

Sgt Mark Baker, from Nottinghamshire Police, described Buck's decision to drive at speed in a bid to evade arrest as "reckless and dangerous".

Buck's Ford Mondeo – which was later discovered to have been on false plates – was initially spotted by police towing a van in Blyth Road, Worksop, about 18:45 BST on 23 February.

Police said officers observed the two vehicles turning in the road at "excessive speed" and followed them.

The Mondeo then stopped and the van – which police said was stolen – was detached before the car sped off.

Officers said the Mondeo with the 34-year-old at the wheel and three other men inside, was driven at speeds of up to 100mph to the A1 near Blyth before heading southbound on the northbound carriageway.

The car collided with two oncoming vehicles – a Peugeot 208 and a van – a short time later, with the road closed in both directions overnight while investigations took place.

Buck pleaded guilty to theft of a motor vehicle and four counts of causing serious injury by dangerous driving at Nottingham Crown Court.

He also pleaded guilty to driving without insurance.

Sgt Barker said: "It must have been terrifying for other drivers to see a car hurtling towards them on the wrong side of the carriageway.

"Three occupants of the Mondeo and the driver of the van suffered extremely serious injuries due to the actions of Buck."