A “LUNATIC” teenage driver who sped at 70mph down the wrong way of a main road in Bradford has only avoided jail due to having a learning disability.

Luke Lanham, 18, led police on a daylight chase through some of the city’s busiest streets after claiming he was “scared” to stop for officers.

He pleaded guilty to dangerous driving and driving without a licence or insurance last month.

Prosecutor Soni Syam told Bradford Crown Court that on July 21, police saw Lanham speeding in a Ford Ka on Ingleby Road.

He accelerated away from officers on a pursuit that took in Midland Road, Queens Road, and Station Road.

He ran red lights, narrowly avoided collisions with an ambulance and moped rider, and mounted the central reservation.

After driving at 70mph down the wrong side of a 30mph section of Canal Road, he avoided a ‘boxing-in’ manoeuvre by officers on Valley Road by driving up a grass verge onto Bolton Road.

The chase ended on Lawson Street, and Lanham was caught in some nearby bushes.

In mitigation, Tahir Hanif said his client, who was said to be living on Leeds Road, Bradford, suffered from ADHD and was “easily-influenced.”

He said he had been “shocked, ashamed, and embarrassed” when he viewed footage of his driving.

When Mr Hanif asked whether he could provide any further assistance, Judge Jonathan Rose asked why he had not told the court that Lanham suffered from a learning disability.

“That is the single most important piece of mitigation, and you have failed to mention it,” he said.

Addressing Lanham, he said: “This city is rife with people like you who should not be driving at all. People who buy cars cheaply with no insurance, licence, or ability. They drive like lunatics through our streets putting people at risk of serious injury or death.”

He said he was only able to suspend an immediate prison sentence “by a whisker” due to Lanham’s learning disability.

He said: “You are escaping prison on this occasion only because of the difficulties you face. If you and I meet again, you are going straight there.”

Lanham was jailed for 12 months, suspended for two years, given a six-month curfew from 7pm to 7am, and ordered to complete a 30-day rehabilitation requirement. He was banned from driving for 18 months.