A DANGEROUS driver who was arrested after a tea-time crash in Bradford was already “wanted” for missing his own trial six months earlier.

Jonathan Saville was found guilty of dangerous driving at Leeds Crown Court in February after he swerved into a cyclist and a judge sentenced him ten months in jail.

But the 27-year-old, of Shetcliffe Lane, off Tong Street, Bradford, was not traced until he crashed a stolen Alfa Romeo car in Bradford last month.

A judge at Bradford Crown Court heard yesterday that police officers on duty in Tong Road saw the car forcing its way through traffic and running a red light.

The scene of the crash in August

Prosecutor Andrew Horton described how the officers pursued the car with their vehicle’s blue lights and sirens activated, but Saville continued to drive at speeds of up to 60mph in 30mph zones.

In the Bierley Lane area, the Alfa Romeo collided with a Ford Transit van causing one of the car’s offside wheels to come off before the vehicle hit a parked Ford Focus.

Saville, who had lengthy record of previous convictions, tried to run off but he was pursued by an officer who had to use CS spray on him.

A large group of onlookers gathered to watch the aftermath of the crash.

A short time later, pictures emerged of a suspect being held on the ground by a police officer.

After his arrest, Saville gave a false name to the police.

However, he was eventually identified through his fingerprints.

Two days after his arrest Saville was taken back to Leeds Crown Court where a judge added two months to his ten-month jail term for failing to turn up for his trial.

Yesterday, Saville was brought to court from prison and admitted offences of dangerous driving, handling stolen goods, driving while disqualified and driving without insurance in relation to the police pursuit in Bradford on August 24.

Judge David Hatton told Saville that he had an appalling record and it was not the first time he had driven dangerously.

He sentenced Saville to nine months in prison which will be added to his existing jail term.

He was banned from driving for two years and nine months.

Saville will also have to take an extended driving test before lawfully using a car again.

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