A DANGEROUS driver who led police on a prolonged pursuit from Bradford to Manchester at speeds up to 130mph has been jailed for 18 months.

Bradford Crown Court heard that Wayne Cooper, 29, who was uninsured and unlicensed, panicked and sped off when he was stopped by police in Leeds Road, Thornbury.

His barrister, Jayne Beckett, told the court that Cooper, who had mental health issues, had earlier been to Ilkley Moor to "self soothe."

Prosecutor Niall Carlin said police spotted the defendant driving his Peugeot 206, at what appeared to be excessive speed, in Leeds Road, at 4.30am. They pulled alongside and asked him to switch off his engine but Cooper sped away, pursued by the officers, and drove at up to 80mph on the road, which has a 40mph limit.

Cooper then reached speeds of up to 110mph on the Stanningley bypass, which is a 60mph zone, to Leeds, where he went through a number of red lights.

He then made his way to the M621, with police still in pursuit, and along the M62 to Manchester, at speeds up to 130mph.

Mr Carlin said Cooper was weaving across all three lanes of traffic and used the hard shoulder to overtake slow moving HGVs. A number of police vehicles were involved in the pursuit, including a helicopter.

The chase ended when Cooper collided with a police car and lost control, hitting the central reservation and causing extensive damage to his vehicle.

The court heard that the defendant had a string of previous convictions for driving while disqualified and without insurance and taking vehicles without consent, but none since 2007.

He was subject to a suspended sentence for domestic violence.

Cooper, of Park Avenue, Sutterton, Lincolnshire, pleaded guilty at magistrates court to dangerous driving, driving without insurance or a licence, and possessing a small amount of cannabis.

Mrs Beckett said her client had complex mental health issues but he had been making good progress in addressing them.

But he had been struggling again with his life and had gone to Ilkley Moor, "his safe place," to try to self soothe. But on the way back he was stopped by police and panicked. She said he was remorseful.

Judge David Hatton QC said it had been a "grotesque episode of driving."

He told Cooper: "You drove vastly in excess of speed limits, and over a very prolonged and protracted distance, in an attempt to avoid your apprehension.

"You drove in a manner as to put others, and others' property, in severe danger.

"I would be failing in my duty ... if I did not impose an immediate sentence of imprisonment."

He sentenced Cooper to 15 months imprisonment for the dangerous driving, with a consecutive two months for breaching the suspended sentence, and a further one month possessing the cannabis. The defendant was disqualified from driving for 27 months.