A banned driver fleeing from the police across Bradford came to an abrupt halt when his front tyre burst.

Mahboobul Shiraj accelerated away when a specialist pursuit team activated their sirens and blue lights and ordered him to stop, Bradford Crown Court heard yesterday.

He was disqualified from driving when seen at the wheel of a silver Vauxhall Astra at 3pm on December 20, 2020.

Shiraj sped off down Otley Road, Barkerend Road and Leeds Road, going on the wrong side of the carriageway and doing up to 50mph in a 30 zone.

A vehicle had to brake heavily to avoid a collision and Shiraj almost hit an approaching police unit head-on.

He came to a sudden halt when his front tyre was punctured and went completely flat, the court heard.

He made no comment when questioned by the police.

Shiraj, 38, of Hanover Square, Manningham, Bradford, at first denied dangerous driving but then pleaded guilty to the offence, and to driving while banned and uninsured.

The court heard he had a previous conviction for dangerous driving and for offences of driving while disqualified and without insurance.

In mitigation, it was stated that the speeds he was doing throughout the pursuit were not the highest.

The offences were some time ago and Shiraj had since turned his life around.

He was then having a difficult and turbulent time. He was depressed and taking heroin, crack cocaine and a cocktail of tablets for his mental health issues.

Shiraj was now off drugs and working well with the probation service on a community order.

He had employment as a chef and his family were solely reliant on his income.

He had not committed any offences since December 2020 and there was strong personal mitigation and the realistic prospect of rehabilitation.

Recorder Ashley Serr said it was a prolonged police chase with a collision narrowly avoided.

Shiraj had 14 convictions for 31 offences, including repeated driving matters, theft and a racially aggravated public order offence.

He had addressed his substance abuse problems and was back with his family.

He was jailed for 12 months and banned from driving for four years, with an extended period of six months to cover the period he will spend in custody.

Recorder Serr said Shiraj had a history of offending and disobeying court orders.

He was only recently back with his family and they had managed without him while he was away.