A career criminal who thought he was "untouchable" led police on a 100mph chase down a motorway hard shoulder and crashed - causing his victim life-changing injuries.

Shane Seymour fled after officers attempted to stop a Range Rover reported stolen from Whitstable.

Pursued by a police helicopter, the 29-year-old raced along the M2 from Junction 7 - often using the hard shoulder - before the devastating crash at Junction 3, towards Chatham.

His victim suffered a fractured skull, bleeding and a blood clot to the brain.

As officers attended to the injured man, Seymour, of London, ran from the scene but was soon arrested nearby.

A police probe would later reveal the SUV was stolen as part of a wider burglary conspiracy worth more than £100,000, involving Seymour and others.

He was jailed for five-and-a-half years at Canterbury Crown Court on Friday after admitting his crimes.

The spree involved 33 thefts and burglary offences, where cars, number plates and fuel were taken, with the gang sometimes using hooks to snatch car keys through letter boxes, the prosecution said.

The court heard Seymour was a “habitual criminal”, racking up 36 previous convictions for 77 offences, including theft and burglary, and three dangerous driving offences.

Prosecutor Alex Radley said the thief's six-week crime wave began in August last year, entering homes with co-defendants to steal.

But it came to halt in September after Seymour ploughed into the back of a car being driven by a couple who were on their way to a music gig in London.

The woman suffered bruising and whiplash, but her partner was knocked unconscious and then rushed to King’s College Hospital.

A CT scan revealed he suffered a fractured skull, bleeding and bruising to the brain, alongside a blood clot.

The man, who could not work or drive for three months, continues to suffer hearing loss.

He told the court in a victim impact statement his injuries were caused “all because a criminal smashed a car into us because he didn’t want to get stopped by the police”.

His wife described waiting in hospital to see if her husband would survive as “unbearable”.

A police manhunt soon located Seymour walking along the roadside “with cuts and sweating” in Walderslade.

He denied any knowledge of the crash and claimed to be visiting friends before his arrest.

But he admitted causing serious injury by dangerous driving, driving while disqualified, and conspiracy to burgle and steal before trial.

Representing Seymour, Ben Squirrell said he suffered a “chaotic upbringing”, being raised in the care system following a traumatic childhood.

He said the defendant wished to put his “habitual lifestyle” of “stealing to live” behind him, after causing the serious injuries.

Seymour previously believed he was “untouchable” but has now been “brought to his senses” after the crash.

He also expressed his remorse in a letter handed to the court, Mr Squirrell explained.

Seymour, of Bruce Castle Road, in Tottenham, was handed a three-year driving ban beginning on the day of his release and ordered to take an extended re-test.