Banned driver in stolen car who sped through red lights during police chase is jailed at Leeds Crown Court

Charles Hamid failed to stop for police after officers spotted him driving a stolen Nissan Micra on Chapeltown Road Leeds Crown Court heard.

Louise Pryke, prosecuting, said Hamid accelerated to 65mph in a 30mph zone and a police pursuit started at 10pm on August 5.

Hamid, 34, overtook a car on the wrong side of a pedestrian crossing island and sped through a red traffic light at Chapeltown Road's junction with Harrogate Road.

Miss Pryke said Hamid went round a right hand bend on the wrong side of the road at more than 50mph, narrowly avoiding a head on crash with oncoming traffic.

He went into an Aldi car park and drove round it at speed before exiting onto Harrogate Road and narrowly avoiding hitting two cars.

Hamid, of no fixed abode, drove at more than 70mph in a 30mph zone and turned left onto Harehills Lane before driving through a red light at the junction with Roundhay Road.

He abandoned the car on Hovingham Terrace and tried to run away, but was caught by police.

Hamid, who has been banned from driving since 2004, admitted dangerous driving and driving while disqualified.

He has 52 previous convictions for 112 offences, including grievous bodily harm, theft, aggravated vehicle taking, driving while disqualified, handling stolen goods, burglary, possessing heroin, cannabis production and shoplifting.

Stephen Welford, mitigating, said Hamid did not know the car was stolen.

Mr Welford said Hamid has been addicted to class A drugs but had declined a methadone prescription while in prison on remand and has withdrawn from class A drug use.

Mr Welford said: "He expresses regret and remorse."

Jailing Hamid for eight months, Judge Tom Bayliss QC told him: "People who put the police at risk, as you did on this occasion, have to expect to go to prison."

Judge Bayliss banned Hamid from driving for 27 months.

A message from the Editor: Leeds has a fantastic story to tell - and the Yorkshire Evening Post has been rooted firmly at the heart of telling the stories of our city since 1890. We believe in ourselves and hope you believe in us too. We need your support to help ensure we can continue to be at the heart of life in Leeds. Subscribe to our website and enjoy unlimited access to local news and information online and on our app. With a digital subscription, you can read more than 5 articles, see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content. Click here to subscribe. For more details on our newspaper subscription offers click here.

Thank you

Laura Collins