A BANNED driver who came within feet of an elderly man on a mobility scooter during a high speed police chase around Bradford’s Holme Wood Estate has been jailed for 15 months.

Andrew Leeming’s case was adjourned last week because he disputed the prosecution’s allegation that he almost collided with the pensioner’s scooter when turning from Heysham Drive on to Stirling Crescent. He also denied doing three handbrake turns and speeding at 70mph past a primary school.

But today, his barrister Samreen Akhtar said Leeming had now seen a film of the pursuit and “understood and accepts” the police’s version of events.

Prosecutor Ayman Khokhar told Bradford Crown Court that Leeming, 36, of no fixed address, sped off in a VW Golf at 3.45pm on January 16 after the police saw him using a hand-held phone.

During the five-minute chase, he travelled at excessive speeds on Kesteven Road, Tenbury Fold, Halesworth Crescent and Broadstone Way.

The car was damaged when Leeming did the third handbrake turn, the court was told.

He abandoned the vehicle after hitting rocks near a seating area in a local park. He ran off but he was caught by the police.

Leeming pleaded guilty to dangerous driving and driving while disqualified and without insurance.

Mr Khokhar said he was a banned driver and it was his sixth conviction for driving while disqualified. His record included 38 previous convictions for 76 offences, between 1997 and 2019. He had a previous conviction for dangerous driving.

Miss Akhtar said Leeming drove that day to calm his nerves after being laid off from his job at a stone yard.

His partner was a carer who worked long shifts and he helped with their children as well as providing support for his poorly mother.

Leeming, who was sentenced on a video link to Leeds Prison, had been in custody since March 13.

Miss Akhtar said he did not injure anyone in the police chase or cause any damage except to the car he was driving.

There was a job available for him at a stone yard when he was released.

Judge Jonathan Rose banned Leeming from driving for four years and eight months.

He labelled it “an appalling piece of driving” that put lives at risk.

“You came within feet of an elderly man on a mobility scooter. It is good luck, and nothing more than that, that you did not injure or kill him,” Judge Rose said.

He made a deprivation order on the car, suspended for 28 days if anyone other than Leeming wants to put in a claim of ownership.