A danger driver did three times the speed limit in a police chase and then tried to pretend his car had been stolen after abandoning the vehicle with his wallet in it.

Andrew Duffy narrowly avoided several collisions as he was pursued down narrow country roads with stolen meat in the back of his silver Vauxhall Astra, Bradford Crown Court heard.

Duffy, 45, of Greystones Drive, Keighley, admitted stealing £49.50 worth of meat from Gargrave Co-op on August 3 last year and then driving dangerously in the uninsured car.

He was spared an immediate prison sentence by Recorder Darren Preston after the court heard how he had since turned his life around.

Prosecutor Harry Crowson said the police spotted the Astra going quickly along Ellers Road in Sutton-in-Craven at 2pm.

Checks revealed it had no insurance or licensed keeper but it sped off down a single track road past pedestrians. It reached 53mph in a 30 zone on Chapel Lane and accelerated up to 66mph on Laycock Lane.

During a ten to 15 minute pursuit, Duffy reached 66mph in a 20mph zone as his passengers waved to onlookers, the court was told.

The car was found abandoned on Hainworth Wood Road in Keighley with the stolen meat in the back.

Mr Crowson said that Duffy had left his wallet in the Astra and there were bolt cutters in the vehicle.

He then falsely reported to the police that the car had been stolen.

Duffy had 60 previous convictions for 109 offences, including 63 thefts, but nothing for dangerous driving.

His barrister, Ken Green, said he had lapsed into drug-taking again at the time but was now off them.

He had turned his life around and his employer had travelled to court to support him.

No one was hurt in the pursuit and no damage was caused.

Recorder Darren Preston sentenced Duffy to 12 months imprisonment, suspended for 12 months, with 20 rehabilitation activity days.

He was banned from driving for 12 months and until he takes an extended retest.

Duffy was ordered to pay the Co-op £49.50 compensation for the stolen meat.

Recorder Preston said Duffy had driven at three times the speed limit and come close to several collisions. He had then lied to the police saying the car had been stolen.

But he was now a valued employee with good references and he had weaned himself off drugs.