IPSWICH: Joyrider Aaron Knock is under lock and key again today after being arrested for what is believed to be the 132nd time – the most for any offender in Suffolk.

Knock, 20, was caught after being a passenger in a stolen Austin Metro driven by Javiel O’Conner.

The 19-year-old led police on a late-night chase through Ipswich, which included going the wrong way down one-way streets without the headlights on.

The Metro eventually came to a halt after a four-mile pursuit at the docks, where the pair ran off before being caught near Stoke Bridge.

Ipswich Crown Court heard Knock, of Purplett Street, Ipswich, had already racked up 54 convictions for 102 offences.

O’Conner, of Defoe Road, Ipswich, is also classed as a prolific offender, although his record is not as bad.

He was given 12 months custody for aggravated vehicle-taking and must serve a further 40 days for breaching a suspended sentence he was already on when stealing the car.

A pre-sentence report indicated that committing crimes gave Knock an inflated sense of status and the accolades he received from his peers for them were a source of pride.

Sentencing Knock to 18 months custody, Judge John Devaux told him: “One day, when you grow up, you will realise how very sad your behaviour is.”

Both men had previously admitted aggravated vehicle-taking and were supported in court by their families.

Knock and O’Conner will serve their sentences at a young offenders’ institution.

Earlier this month, police figures revealed 144 people on Suffolk’s prolific and other priority register had been arrested on 5,151 occasions and convicted 3,034 times. The worst offender was a 20-year-old from Ipswich, believed to be Knock, who had been arrested 132 times and had 54 convictions.

The eldest offender, a 47-year-old Ipswich man, holds the unenviable record for the most convictions with 67.

The figures, issued after a Freedom of Information request, show at least 10 of the 144 criminals were back in prison when they were produced.

Two 14-year-olds from Sudbury and another from Lowestoft were the youngest persistent offenders.

One of the Sudbury teenagers has already been arrested 20 times and has nine convictions, while the Lowestoft teen’s record is 19 and 12 respectively.