A WORKER at an Indian restaurant has avoided jail after hitting 90mph and running red lights during a police chase across Bradford which nearly lasted an hour.

Nitrous Oxide canisters were also found in Aagrah employee Hasan Ali's Volkswagen Golf when it finally came to a halt following a crash in the city centre.

The 21-year-old, of Bude Road in West Bowling, was sentenced at Bradford Crown Court on Friday.

The court heard how police were first alerted to Ali's driving when he hit 87mph on the 50mph section of the Bingley Bypass at 8.10pm on June 10 of this year.

Prosecutor Jemima Stephenson said officers turned their blue lights on but the Volkswagen Golf refused to stop and made off.

A 50-minute chase ensued where the vehicle hit 90mph in a 40mph zone, ran two red lights, went on the wrong side of a carriageway, and mounted a central reservation to avoid heavy traffic.

Recorder Andrew Dallas said the pursuit came to an end on Manor Row, where Ali hit a high curb causing the Golf to lose a wheel.

Upon arrest, several Nitrous Oxide canisters were found in the vehicle and Ali admitted to inhaling some of those.

He had been disqualified from driving for six months on May 11 this year, the court heard.

Ali's defence told of how he had been going through a bad time mentally and had been hearing voices.

They said the crimes were a "bad error of judgement" on his part and he failed to stop because of his current disqualification.

The defending counsel added that Ali was a well-respected man who works six days a week at Indian restaurant Aagrah.

The offending occurred on his day off when he was giving a friend a lift home.

The 21-year-old admitted to all three offences: driving a motor vehicle dangerously, driving whilst disqualified, and driving without insurance.

He received a sentence of 14 months' imprisonment, which was suspended for two years.

Recorder Dallas said he wrestled considerably with whether or not justice could be achieved if Ali would serve that.

But he was persuaded to stop short of sending him to prison.

He added: "You have disgraced your family and you should be ashamed of yourself."

Ali will also have to complete 300 unpaid hours, 30 days of rehabilitation, and pay court costs of £611.

He has been disqualified from driving for a further 18 months.