A CAR trader has been jailed for six months for leading police on a “grotesque” 80mph chase towards Bradford city centre because he feared he was driving a stolen vehicle.

Amer Iqbal was “spooked” by the blue light pursuit after watching too many TV programmes, Bradford Crown Court heard yesterday.

Iqbal, 23, of Frizinghall Road, Bradford, pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, and having no insurance or licence, at 4.20pm on June 2.

He also admitted possession of £5 worth of cannabis at the same time.

Prosecutor Andrew Strannex said the police had “information” about the Volvo C30 and wanted to stop it, although it did not turn out to have been stolen.

Iqbal accelerated down Bowling Back Lane, West Bowling, speeding up to 80mph on Hammerton Street, which has a 30mph limit.

He travelled on the wrong side of the carriageway and mounted the kerb while continuing along Fullerton Street and Buck Street.

Iqbal did 50mph down busy Dryden Street, forcing people to jump out of the way, the court was told.

The pursuit ended when he was apprehended after leaping out of the moving car on the A650 Wakefield Road.

A police officer “arrested” the progress of the rolling Volvo by driving his patrol vehicle into it to avoid an accident.

Iqbal’s barrister, Nigel Edwards, handed in three character references and said his client had “absolutely no idea” why he drove so dangerously.

He had just obtained a new job trading in vehicles and was spooked by the prospect that he was behind the wheel of a stolen car.

“He was also watching too many TV programmes and, in his own mind, blue lights meant a chase,” Mr Edwards said.

Iqbal was “a nervous young man,” with no similar previous convictions.

The small bag of cannabis he had on him was not being smoked while he was behind the wheel, the court heard.

Judge David Hatton QC said: “It was a grotesque piece of driving that caused untold danger.”

He continued: “The majority of people in this city are sick of people driving in this way. I would be failing in my public duty if I did not meet this case with a sentence of imprisonment.”

Iqbal was banned from driving for 12 months, extended to 15 months to take account of the length of time he will spend in prison. He must take an extended test if he wants to obtain a driving licence.

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