AN APPRENTICE plasterer from Bradford who led police on a "horrendous" high speed chase drove on after a wheel flew off his car, a court heard.

Joshua Bridge, 20, of Brow Lane, Clayton, Bradford, pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, failing to stop after an accident and driving uninsured and with no valid licence.

Pursuing officers followed the scrape marks in the road to find Bridge's badly damaged Vauxhall Corsa abandoned on Salts Mill Road, Shipley.

Bridge had continued to flee after losing a back wheel when he hit an oncoming car during the chase, between Guiseley and Bradford, prosecutor Paul Nicholson said yesterday.

His Corsa jumped in the air after the collision and sparks flew as he drove off with the axle scraping along the road.

Police officers had to clear away debris strewn across the carriageway from the vehicle before continuing the pursuit, Bradford Crown Court was told yesterday.

He was spared an immediate custodial sentence but banned from the road for 18 months and ordered to take an extended test if he wants his licence back.

Mr Nicholson said Bridge refused to stop when police saw him speeding in Station Road, Guiseley, at 9.40pm on October 21.

He drove at speed on Hollins Hill and Otley Road, failing to stop at junctions and overtaking lines of vehicles.

Bridge struck a red car on Otley Road, Baildon, propelling it into railings guarding a 30ft drop to the canal.

After abandoning his car, he was arrested following a chase on foot.

He told police: "I am sorry. It was my fault. I know I have done bad."

Bridge said he panicked when he was ordered to stop and did not intend to cause an accident.

His solicitor advocate, Ashok Khullar, said he was a hardworking and productive member of society. He had recently lost his grandfather at the time he committed the offences.

Judge Peter Benson sentenced Bridge to eight months detention in a young offender institution, suspended for two years, with 200 hours of unpaid work. He must pay £90 towards the prosecution costs.

The judge said it was a "horrendous" piece of driving but Bridge had no similar convictions and he had suffered a series of family difficulties and upsets over the past months.

Judge Benson read a series of character references in praise of Bridge, including a letter from his employer.

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