A DRIVER forced police into a high-speed chase through residential streets and back alleys before being forced to stop when he was blocked by another car.

Bradford Crown Court heard that Abdul Ahmed drove at more than twice the speed limit during the three-and-a-half-minute pursuit that began just before 9am on December 30, 2023.

Prosecutor Rachel Webster said Ahmed, 21, of Hampden Street, Bradford, was seen by police in a patrol car speeding past them in a BMW on Abb Scott Lane, Low Moor.

Officers signalled with lights and sirens for the car to stop, and Ahmed initially slowed down before driving off.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Bradford Crown Court Bradford Crown Court (Image: Newsquest)

The police followed the car through surrounding streets as it picked up speed, reaching 63mph on Thornton Lane, which has a 30mph limit, and driving at 52mph on Delamere Street, which is a 20mph zone.

Ahmed drove past a no entry sign to enter a one-way street from the wrong direction before coming to a halt when another car blocked the back street on which he was travelling. He was arrested at the scene.

Dashcam footage from the police car was played in court, which showed the pursuit and Ahmed’s eventual arrest. A passenger was also discovered in the car.

Ahmed was interviewed the same day and answered “no comment” to questions. He later pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, and to failing to stop.

Mitigating for Ahmed, Leila Taleb said he had no previous convictions and that his early guilty pleas were indicative of his remorse.

Ahmed also wrote a letter expressing his remorse, and there were others from his father and his employer.

Her Honour Judge Sophie McKone told Ahmed he had embarked on persistent, prolonged, and very dangerous driving that had taken him into busy residential areas.

She said: “The risk to other road users was incredibly high [as was] the risk of death and serious injury.

“You do lack insight into your offending. You don’t take it seriously enough, although I don’t take that as a reflection of a lack of remorse. That may be down to your age and lack of maturity.

“I am prepared to accept your remorse.”

She sentenced Ahmed to six months imprisonment suspended for 18 months, and disqualified him from driving for 18 months.

She ordered him to carry out 200 hours of unpaid community work, and to undertake 10 rehabilitation activity requirement days.

He was also ordered to pay costs of £425.