'You drove like a lunatic,' judge tells unlicensed Bradford driver who led police on high speed chase

Hassan Iqbal, 20, sped off in a Volkswagen Golf fitted with false registration plates after the police became suspicious of him on the afternoon of February 28.

He was pursued in a “blue light chase” along roads including Little Horton Lane, Laisteridge Lane, All Saints Road and Great Horton Road at 3.45pm, before smashing into a police vehicle and hitting a lamppost.

Iqbal, of Arncliffe Terrace, Lidget Green, Bradford, fled on foot and put up “a fierce struggle” while being apprehended, prosecutor Jon Gregg told Bradford Crown Court yesterday.

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There was a strong smell of petrol from the Golf and it was found to be carrying “numerous containers of petrol”.

Iqbal pleaded guilty to dangerous driving and to driving without insurance and a licence.

Mr Gregg told the court that many people were put in danger during the high speed pursuit, in 30mph limits past St Luke’s Hospital.

Iqbal caused many vehicles to swerve to avoid him as he jumped red lights, overtook slow moving lines of traffic, mounted the kerb and ignored Give Way signs.

“To put it colloquially, he put his foot down,” Mr Gregg said.

Judge Paul Watson QC said only Iqbal’s prompt plea of guilty had saved him from an immediate custody as he sentenced him to a 12 month community order, with 250 hours of unpaid work and a ten day rehabilitation activity requirement with the probation service.

Iqbal was also banned from driving for two years, and until he takes an extended test.

Judge Watson told Iqbal: “On the 28th of February this year, you were driving like a lunatic.”

“It is a miracle that no one was hurt.”

Iqbal told the police he had been in a row with his family and he said the petrol in the containers on board the car was to sell.

Iqbal’s barrister Ben Thomas said he had been frank with police.

He conceded Iqbal was an immature young man but he had had no previous convictions.