A danger driver with an “appalling record” for motoring offences has been warned by the judge jailing him: “You need to stop before somebody dies.”

Pedestrians on Kirkgate had to jump clear as Marek Kasprowicz sped through Bradford city centre with a burst front tyre and a patrol car on his tail.

After he abandoned his Ford Focus and fled down Grammar School Street, the police found an extendable baton in a holder in the driver’s door pocket, Bradford Crown Court heard today.

Kasprowicz, 23, of Stone Street, Bradford city centre, pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, driving while disqualified and without a licence, and possession of an offensive weapon.

He was jailed for a total of 20 months, plus nine weeks’ consecutive for breach of a suspended sentence for driving offences.

The court heard that police on patrol in Shearbridge Road, Bradford, at 12.45pm on Sunday, January 13, saw the Ford Focus turning away to avoid them.

They activated their siren and blue lights and pursued the car along Legrams Lane, Ingleby Road, Thornton Road, Grattan Road, John Street, Upper Piccadilly and Kirkgate on to Manor Row where the vehicle was abandoned.

During the chase, Kasprowicz did 70mph down Thornton Road, clipped a vehicle wing mirror, cut across traffic, drove on the pavement and jumped red lights.

He continued to speed along on the metal wheel rim after the front tyre burst.

Kasprowicz had three previous convictions for nine offences, including driving over the prescribed limit, driving while disqualified and driving uninsured.

He absconded in July, failing to attend Bradford Crown Court for trial on the offensive weapon charge and being arrested on a warrant.

Nadim Bashir said it was not a protracted chase. But he conceded: “It is a miracle that no one was injured.”

Judge Jonathan Rose told him: “You need to stop before somebody dies. Prison is the only place for dangerous drivers convicted as a result of a police pursuit.”

Kasprowicz had an “appalling record” for driving offences, refusing to obey the laws of the country.

Kasprowicz had then absconded, wasting time and money, before admitting the offensive weapon charge just before he was sentenced. He was jailed for 14 months for dangerous driving, four months for possession of an offensive weapon, and two months for jumping court bail, all to run consecutively.