A MOTOR mechanic has been jailed for six months for leading the police on a high speed chase around central Bradford in a decrepit-looking car.

Mohammed Shakeel, 22, sped off in his father's 15-year-old Vauxhall Zafira after borrowing it without permission and driving it uninsured, Bradford Crown Court heard yesterday.

Shakeel went double the speed limit and drove on the wrong side of the road during the ten minute pursuit that put the lives of pedestrians at risk, prosecutor Philip Adams told the court.

Shakeel, of Boynton Street, West Bowling, Bradford, pleaded guilty to dangerous driving and driving without insurance at 7.20pm on May 2.

Mr Adams said the police were alerted to the Zafira, that contained two passengers, because the vehicle was in poor condition.

It sped off along Great Horton Road and was pursued along streets including Laisteridge Lane, Dirkhill Road, Roundhill Street and Little Horton Lane.

It slowed suddenly on Jacob Street and Shakeel and his passengers leapt out of the moving vehicle.

Shakeel made no comment when he was questioned by the police.

His barrister, Giles Grant, said his client was a trained motor mechanic who was recently made redundant.

He lived at home with his family and had no previous convictions.

Shakeel took his father's car without permission to take his friends to buy some food.

He knew he was uninsured and panicked when the police ordered him to stop.

Judge Jonathan Rose said Shakeel had driven at 60mph in a 30mph limit, driven on the wrong side of the road and gone the wrong way around roundabouts. Shakeel was banned from driving for 21 months and ordered to take an extended retest to get his licence back.