A DANGEROUS driver who crashed into a Give Way sign after a 90mph chase across central Bradford has been jailed for 12 months.

Urfan Lal, who was uninsured and on prison licence, lost control of a yellow Ford Focus after "90 seconds of madness", Bradford Crown Court heard yesterday.

Lal, 37, of Cecil Avenue, Great Horton, Bradford, was on licence as part of a five year prison sentence imposed in 2011 for house breaking and dangerous driving when he accelerated away from the police on the afternoon of May 27 this year.

He drove up a narrow cobbled street in a bid to shake off the officers, the court heard.

Prosecutor Dave McKay said the police officer pursuing Lal had to go at 90mph in Horton Park Avenue to catch up with him.

The chase took in All Saints Road and Laisteridge Lane before Lal lost control of the car in Dirkhill Road.

He skidded across a roundabout and smashed into the road sign.

Lal, who had a terrified male passenger in the vehicle with him, then ran off, climbing a fence into the grounds of the University of Bradford.

He was apprehended when the police found him hiding in a bush, the court heard.

Lal told arresting officers: "It was me driving. I just panicked. I was an idiot. I put my hands up."

Mr McKay said Lal had previous convictions for aggravated vehicle taking, driving while disqualified and driving with excess alcohol.

In 2005, he was imprisoned for six years for conspiracy to supply Class A drugs.

Six years later, Lal was back in jail for burglary and dangerous driving.

His barrister, Jeremy Hill-Baker, said it was a "90 seconds of madness" after Lal borrowed the car to fetch felt for a roofing job.

He was the father of two children and a carer for his elderly and infirm parents.

Recorder Simon Hirst said Lal's extensive criminal record made depressing reading and noted his passenger must have been left traumatised by his attempts to evade police resulting in the pursuit.

"It is only by enormous good fortune that no-one was terribly injured," Recorder Hirst said.

Lal was banned from driving for two years.