A recidivist driving offender has gone to prison for a "cat and mouse chase" through Mosgiel streets.
Seven new ones, including two of aggravated disqualified driving, two of theft, one of stealing a vehicle and one of resisting police, relate to an incident earlier this year.
Court documents state on March 14 Rose-Herriott took the keys to a Ford Falcon while the owner was in the shower.
She drove to Mike Teasdale Motors in Kaikorai Valley Rd and filled the car up with $187 worth of fuel.
Rose-Herriott then left without paying.
The next day she drove to another petrol station, NPD Waihola, and fuelled up again with $146 worth of fuel.
She did not pay for that either.
Police were alerted to the stolen car later that day, and began following Rose-Herriott north on State Highway 1, towards Mosgiel.
Though they activated their flashing lights and siren, Rose-Herriott continued on.
A police unit began setting up spikes intended to deflate her tyres at the beginning of the motorway.
However, as they were doing that, Rose-Herriott swerved directly in front of them, forcing an officer to run out of the way to avoid being hit.
She then turned left and continued through suburban Mosgiel streets trying to evade police, accelerating heavily at times.
Police followed at a safe distance. As Rose-Herriott turned into Dukes Rd South she picked up speed, causing her back wheels to spin on the wet road.
The vehicle she was driving fishtailed, sending her crashing into a drainage ditch.
Police had to smash both the driver and rear passenger door to extract her as she refused to exit.
Counsel Jim Takas said Rose-Herriott would be "happier and more comfortable in jail".
She wanted a sentence of more than two years so she could complete a work-to-release programme, which was only available for sentences of that length.
Judge Rollo said it was "concerning and sad" that part of Rose-Herriott’s motivation was to get back into prison.
"The prison system is not a measure of usual society; it’s not intended to be in many respects ... so it’s sad you choose that restrictive society".
Rose-Herriott was sentenced to 25 months’ imprisonment, which the court heard met her request but was "justified" for the offending.
She was also disqualified for two years.
Judge Rollo declined a photo application on the basis that the court was trying to bring about positive changes in the lives of defendants, and Rose-Herriott suffered from mental health issues.
Rose-Herriott was "low-hanging fruit" and applications should be for the "higher fruit", who were more dangerous to public, he said.
