AN MP has demanded that the government increase sentencing powers available to courts after a Bradford judge jailed a “complete menace” on the road to less than two years in prison – lower than half the sentence he wanted to hand out.

Shipley MP Philip Davies said dangerous driving was a huge problem across the district and more must be done to get the hazardous drivers off the road and behind bars.

Judge Robert Bartfield wanted to sentence Jonathan Nudds, 28, of Clayton, to four years but could only hand out a 20-month sentence.

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Raising the issue in Parliament Mr Davies said: “A judge in Bradford recently jailed what he described as a 'compete menace' on the roads for dangerous driving, driving while disqualified, failing to provide a specimen, driving while uninsured and possession of a small bag of cocaine. He had 18 previous convictions for 33 offences and the judge complained he was only able to sentence this individual to a maximum of two years in prison, he would have sentenced him to four years in prison if the law had allowed and he urged Parliament to address this issue.

“This issue of dangerous driving is a massive problem in the Bradford district so can we have a minister before the House to explain what government is going to do to give judges the power they need to take these menaces off the road and put them in prison where they belong.”

Commons Leader Andrea Leadsom urged Mr Davies to raise the matter with the Attorney General at the next Commons session later this month.

She added: “He is absolutely right to raise this issue, dangerous driving has appalling consequences for far too many people across the country.”

Nudds pleaded guilty to dangerous driving on December 15, driving while disqualified, failing to provide a specimen, driving while uninsured and possession of a small bag of cocaine.

He was sentenced to 20 months and banned for driving for three years and 10 months.

Mr Davies added: “When we are in a situation where judges are saying in court Parliament need to act then we must do so. Judges need to have the powers to hand out appropriate sentences so they can get criminals off the streets and protect innocent people from becoming victims of crime. In the case of dangerous driving this is vital as irresponsible driving can kill.”