Bradford driver led police on high-speed chase through city

Wayne Smith, who was twice the legal limit and not licensed to drive the vehicle, told the police he indicated on the corners because: “I’ve got a steering wheel for my PlayStation”.

Smith, 27, of Ingleborough Close, Holme Wood, Bradford, was pursued by three police vehicles after driving the wrong way up Sackville Street in Bradford city centre at such speed that the wheels spun and the van emitted black smoke.

Prosecutor Syam Soni said the ten-minute chase began at around 1am on August 6.

Smith, who was alone in the van, jumped two sets of red traffic lights, ignored a Give Way sign and forced other vehicles to take evasive action.

He hammered along Sunbridge Road at 60mph and accelerated to 72mph on Barkerend Road, pulling out in front of a van on Otley Road.

Mr Soni said he switched off the vehicle’s lights on Bolton Road while doing 66mph.

Smith then drove up a dead end at Peel Park View and ran off.

He put up a struggle and had to be subdued with CS gas.

He refused a roadside breath test and would not give the police his name and address but he had his passport on him, the court was told.

At the police station, Smith was found to be twice the legal alcohol limit for driving.

He pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, driving without a full licence or insurance, driving with excess alcohol and failing to stop for the police.

Smith, a roofer and the father of baby twins, told the police it was his work colleague’s van and he had taken it to deal with a family crisis.

When officers asked him why he was indicating when taking corners, Smith replied: “It’s a habit.”

The police then wanted to know how it could be a habit when he had no full driving licence.

Smith responded: “I’ve got a steering wheel on my PlayStation.”

His barrister, Mohammed Rafiq, conceded it was a serious incident that passed the custodial threshold.

Drink clouded Smith’s judgement that night and he foolishly did not stop for the police.

“There was no accident. There were admissions to the police and he pleaded guilty at the first opportunity,” Mr Rafiq said.

Mr Smith was a hard working man who had let down himself and his family.

Judge Robert Bartfield banned Smith from driving for two years and seven months.

He said it was an appalling case.

“Driving of this kind is an epidemic in this city, with people trying to outrun the police. Judges must make it clear through their sentences that it will not be tolerated, “ Judge Bartfield told Smith.