Banned driver in police chase through south Leeds

A BANNED driver crashed his car into another vehicle as he tried to get away from police during a high speed pursuit.
Crown courtCrown court
Crown court

Omaad Rafiq, 27, was spotted behind the wheel of his Subaru car just two months after he was handed a six-month driving ban.

Leeds Crown Court heard police officers signalled for Rafiq to stop when they saw him driving on Hunslet Road.

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Rafiq then sped off through the streets of south Leeds as he headed for the Beeston area. John Bull, prosecuting, said Rafiq reached 72mph along Lady Pit Lane, which is a 30mph area.

He also drove on the wrong side of the road and drove straight across junctions without stopping.

Rafiq eventually lost control of the vehicle and collided with another car on Tempest Road.

He tried to run off but was arrested at the scene. Rafiq was interviewed and admitted that he had driven dangerously and should not have been driving.

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He pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, driving while disqualified and having no insurance.

Matthew Harding, mitigating, said Rafiq, of Tempest Road, was sorry for what he had done and had pleaded guilty to the offences at an early stage. Mr Harding said Rafiq accepted that he had acted foolish but that his client did have a good side to his character.

The barrister told the court how Rafiq had recently managed to apprehend a man after he had robbed on old woman in the seat. The robber later received a prison sentence due to Rafiq’s actions.

Rafiq was given a 12 month prison sentence, suspended for two years, and was ordered to do 300 hours of unpaid work. He was also banned from driving for 12 months.

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Judge Tom Bayliss, QC, said: “There are three significant features here. Firstly, your grossly excessive speed. Secondly the fact that this was within two months of your disqualification from driving and, thirdly, a collision occurred.”