A BRADFORD man who committed a string of crimes to fund an “entrenched” drug habit has been jailed for three-and-a-half years.

35-year-old Liam Baker admitted more than a dozen crimes over a 16-month period in the run-up to April this year.

He pleaded guilty to three counts of supplying drugs, theft of a motor vehicle and dangerous driving, as well as multiple counts of theft from shops.

Judge Jonathan Gibson jailed Baker for 42 months in total, as well as handing him a 21-month driving ban.

Bradford Crown Court heard how police caught Baker in a Bradford house in March 2021 with £960 worth of Class A and B drugs – cocaine, heroin and cannabis.

They also found scales, crack pipes, two mobile phones and a machete. One of the mobiles was a burner phone and contained messages indicating drug dealing.

Prosecutor Paul Canfield added that in April 2022, Baker entered an acquaintance’s home through an unlocked door, and later on his way out stole the man’s car keys.

His victim did not realise until checking his CCTV later, by which time his car, worth £5,000, had also gone.

The vehicle was later recovered but required £800 worth of cleaning and repairs.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Bradford Crown Court (Image: T&A)Bradford Crown Court (Image: T&A)

In July 2021, Baker, of Draughton Street, Bradford, was spotted by police driving a stolen Renault Clio through Bradford.

When police pursued him, he drove at speeds of up to 70mph in 30mph zones, running a red light and overtaking on the opposite side of the road in an effort to evade them.

He also reversed the Clio into the front of the police car, with the collision causing him to stall, at which point officers were able to detain him.

On Baker’s behalf, Jessica Heggie told the court that drugs had “plagued his life”.

“The reason for all of the offending is to fund the defendant’s drug addiction.

“This is a defendant who found himself in a great deal of debt to gangs,” adding that he was being threatened over the drug debt too.

She said that while on remand Baker had engaged in courses and counselling and had stopped using drugs.

Judge Gibson said: “What’s very clear from your record and from the catalogue of offending is that your drug use has been at the root of your offending.

“But, of course, it doesn’t cause the offending and you must take full responsibility for what you have done.”

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