UK thief leads police on lengthy car chase in attempt to steal Buddha garden ornament

Callum Gordon stole a Buddha statue from a UK homeware store.
Callum Gordon stole a Buddha statue from a UK homeware store. Photo credit: Getty Images

A UK man who attacked police and took them on a high-speed car chase after he stole a Buddha statue has been jailed. 

Callum Gordon, 30, broke into a Northampton homeware store at around 3:45am on May 1 to steal the $441 garden ornament, Metro UK reports 

He and two accomplices were caught on CCTV as they stashed the Buddha into a tipper truck and drove off. 

When police caught up to the thieves they were driving recklessly through residential streets at speeds of up to 80km. 

The truck was also seen driving in the wrong direction on the motorway, headed right towards a large truck. 

According to Metro UK, prosecuting lawyer Ben Gow said the truck was "spotted driving in the wrong carriageway in the direction of two oncoming vehicles, one of them an articulated lorry. 

"It was cutting corners on back roads. It was immediately apparent to the police drivers that his driving was dangerous." 

Gordon then purposefully slammed the truck into a fence before fleeing on foot. Police dogs and helicopters were called in to assist the chase and Gordon was caught an hour later, attacking and kicking an officer in the chest before he was restrained. 

He pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, driving while disqualified, criminal damage, and theft. Gordon was sentenced to 14 months in jail and is banned from driving for three years.

His accomplices Kimberley Hutchings, 26, and Kalon Farmer, 28, pleaded guilty to theft last month and are awaiting sentencing.