A Bradford teenager who caused the death of an elderly woman by dangerous driving when he ploughed into her on a level crossing was spared from prison last autumn after a forgiving and merciful appeal from her daughter, who said in a letter to the court that she hoped he would use his life to bring credit to his family, his community and himself.

The teenager then went on to reward that hope, and the judge's leniency, by breaking a two-year driving ban which was his "punishment" for the offence and, when signalled to stop by police, driving off at speeds of up to 80mph.

It is astonishing that given the circumstances of the first case, magistrates hearing details of the new offences didn't send him to prison for deliberately flouting the ban. The mere fact that he got into a car and drove again shows his arrogant disregard not only for the law but also for the kindness of the family who forgave him and appealed to the earlier court on his behalf.

That he did so, and when approached by police committed other motoring offence during a high-speed chase, demonstrates that he is not a character likely to be reformed by the community penalty imposed on him.

It is hard to understand why magistrates should arrive at a decision like this. It is bound to raise suspicions that they are under some sort of hidden pressure not to send offenders to prison, either because of overcrowding or as a result of misguidedly liberal official attitudes by the authorities.