A DANGER driver who sped off from the police through a pedestrian area in central Bradford accused them of ‘making everything up’ because his car wasn’t insured.

Noor Ahmadzai was spotted on the city’s Laisteridge Lane at the wheel of a friend’s Vauxhall Zafira, Bradford Crown Court heard today.

Checks revealed that the car wasn’t insured and Ahmadzai, 31, of Bolton Lane, Bradford, was stopped. He told the police he was trying to find the insurance documents on his phone, before speeding off, prosecutor Lydia Carroll said.

A blue light pursuit then ensued with the Zafira accelerating away towards Great Horton Road. It almost collided with another vehicle at Pemberton Drive and overtook on the wrong side of the road before taking a right turn into a pedestrian only area next to the university complex.

Miss Carroll said the streets were busy with pedestrians and traffic and there were parked vehicles.

The police decided against following Ahmadzai through the pedestrianised zone and drove on to Easby Road to catch him at the other end of it. His passenger jumped out and fled and he too attempted to run off but was apprehended.

He was arrested and handcuffed and made no comment except to say he was an illegal immigrant. He later stated that the police had ‘made everything up’ because he didn’t have insurance.

Ahmadzai went on to plead guilty to dangerous driving at 8pm on March 2 this year and driving unlicensed and uninsured.

His barrister, Erin Kitson-Parker, said he was born in Afghanistan and had fled atrocities there. He panicked when he was stopped by the police and drove off down the pedestrian area. The pursuit lasted for just two minutes and was along two streets.

Ahmadzai was technically an illegal immigrant but he was filing for permission to remain here. He was the stepfather to his partner’s four children and provided the family with care and support.

He no previous convictions in the UK or elsewhere and he wanted to seek help for his mental health problems.

Recorder Tahir Khan QC sentenced him to 12 months imprisonment, suspended for 18 months, with 200 hours of unpaid work and up to 20 rehabilitation activity days. He was banned from driving for 12 months and until he passes an extended test.

Recorder Khan said Ahmadzai had never been in trouble before and had family responsibilities.

No one was hurt in the pursuit, there was no damage caused and it lasted a short period of time.