A DELIVERY driver who panicked and tried to outrun two police vehicles in a Ford Fiesta has been spared an immediate prison sentence.

Asad Mahmood, who is profoundly deaf and was assisted in court by a sign language expert, was ordered to stop in Bradford because he was wanted for questioning over a domestic incident, Bradford Crown Court heard.

But Mahmood, 31, of Westfield Road, Wyke, Bradford, weaved his way past the police vehicles and sped off down Rooley Avenue, prosecutor Robert Galley said.

He was pursued at up to 50mph along Halifax Road, St Paul's Avenue, St Helena Road and Southfield Lane.

Mr Galley said the chase began just before 5pm on March 5, lasted four minutes and covered more than two miles.

Mahmood went at speed around Odsal Roundabout and over speed bumps on side roads.

He skidded on the wet road surface while going twice round a roundabout in a bid to shake off the police.

His car then developed a fault and slowed to 20mph, with the brake lights on permanently, Mr Galley said.

Mahmood stopped the vehicle and was removed from it.

He pleaded guilty to dangerous driving at the earliest opportunity.

Charges of having no driving licence and no vehicle insurance were dropped by the Crown when Mahmood produced documentary evidence that he was legally entitled to drive the car.

In mitigation, his solicitor advocate, John Bottomley, said Mahmood caused no injury or damage.

He was of previous good character and worked as a delivery driver.

He panicked when the police instructed him to stop after a domestic incident that he was never charged over.

Judge Jonathan Durham Hall QC sentenced Mahmood to six months imprisonment, suspended for 12 months, with 80 hours of unpaid work.

He was banned from driving for 12 months and must take an extended retest before he gets his licence back.

Judge Durham Hall said: "This was a short piece of panic bad driving by someone of otherwise exemplary character."

Mahmood had entered a prompt and candid guilty plea and had a full licence and insurance to drive his car.

His sensory disability meant he had a total loss of hearing.

Judge Durham Hall checked with the probation service that Mahmood would be suitable for unpaid work.

He was assured that the defendant would be expertly assisted during the briefing session and later shown what to do with hand signals and/or written instruction.