A PETTY thief who jumped red lights in a police chase after taking his mother's car without permission has been spared an immediate prison sentence.

Judge Jonathan Rose spoke of the "blight" dangerous drivers cast on Bradford when he told Stephen Toth he was fortunate not to be heading down to the cells.

Toth, 32, of Allerton Road, Allerton, Bradford, sped away from the police in his mother's Peugeot 206 at 12.50pm on July 14.

During the five minute chase, covering four miles, he narrowly avoided a collision, jumped two red lights and drove on the wrong side of the road.

Prosecutor Bashir Ahmed said the pursuit began in Manningham and included Thornton Road, Duncombe Road and Ingleby Road.

Toth abandoned the car near his mother's home and fled into woodland.

He pleaded guilty to aggravated vehicle taking and driving without insurance.

Toth told the police he panicked and wanted to get the vehicle back to his mother as soon as possible.

He conceded it was a "stupid and silly" thing to have done.

The court heard he had 19 convictions for 41 offences. His criminal record was mainly for offences of dishonesty and he had served substantial periods of imprisonment.

In mitigation, Toth's barrister, Anne-Marie Hutton, said he had no previous convictions for driving offences.

He had pleaded guilty at the first opportunity and it was a relatively short chase, with no injury or damage caused, she said.

But Judge Rose said Toth had shown blatant disregard for other road users, including pedestrians.

"You said it was stupid and silly. It wasn't. It was dangerous. It was potentially lethal and it put other road users in danger and fear," the judge said.

He continued: "You are a petty thief, that is your record. It was not a record for dangerous driving, but it is now."

Toth was sentenced to eight months imprisonment, suspended for two years.

He was banned from driving for 18 months, ordered to obey a four month curfew order and to undergo a rehabilitation activity requirement with the probation service.

"You need to consider yourself very fortunate," Judge Rose told him.

MORE TOP STORIES