A MAN who twice drove at police during an “appalling” 15-minute chase on busy roads in Bradford has been jailed for 14 months.

Alan Whelan, 34, was driving a Vauxhall Corsa on Thornton Road on April 27 when officers, who suspected the car had false registration plates, asked him to pull over.

Instead of stopping, he drove towards the police car, forcing its driver to swerve to avoid a collision.

During the 15-minute chase that followed, which took in major roads including Cemetery Road, Princeville Street, and Ingelby Road, Whelan overtook cars on the wrong side of the road, drove at oncoming traffic, ran red lights, and failed to give way at junctions.

Bradford Crown Court heard that after reaching a speed of around 70mph on Northside Road, Whelan again drove at police, meaning officers had to take evasive action to avoid a head-on crash.

After going the wrong way around a roundabout and running another red light, police lost Whelan and had to give up the chase.

One of the officers recognised the defendant and he was intercepted on the street outside his home address in Hawkshead Walk, Little Horton.

Whelan appeared “out of breath” and under the influence of alcohol, so officers attempted to breathalyse him, but he refused.

He was also “obstructive” in refusing a second test once in custody at the police station.

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He later pleaded guilty to charges of dangerous driving, driving without a licence or insurance, and failing to provide a specimen.

The court heard he was on bail at the time of the offending for a domestic violence offence, for which he was currently serving a five-month sentence.

He was also said to have previous convictions for offences including aggravated vehicle-taking, burglary, and assault.

Whelan, who had worked as a stonecutter in a Bradford quarry, was said to have been diagnosed with anxiety and depression.

The court heard he accepted the full facts of the case, but claimed to have been “intoxicated, not drunk”.

Judge David Hatton QC told the defendant: “You drove in an appalling and alarming manner, at vastly excessive speeds.

“Very importantly, you drove at other people in their vehicles, forcing them to take avoiding action, and no doubt causing them considerable fear.”

Alongside his prison term, Whelan was also banned from driving for 22 months and must sit an extended re-test.