Banned driver in dramatic crash in Bramley while fleeing police

Brendan Athay, 26, was driving a silver Hyundai on the wrong side of Upper Town Street when it crashed into a BMW travelling in the opposite direction, Leeds Crown Court heard.

Leeds Crown Court was shown CCTV footage of the crash when the Hyundai was flung into the air and the BMW then crashed into a Mercedes.

Prosecutor Chloe Hudson said police in an unmarked car spotted the Hyundai parked on Upper Town Street just after 9pm on November 11 2019.

Police checked the car's details and found it was registered to Bournemouth and had previously been reported stolen.

The driver of the police car pulled alongside Athay's and spoke to him.

Athay's girlfriend was in the front passenger seat and a man was in the back seat.

Athay gave police a false name and claimed he had insurance.

The police officer said the car was not insured under the name he gave and Athay said it was his friend's car.

The officer told Athay to take the keys out of the engine but Athay put the car in gear and drove off so fast that the wheels spun.

He drove at around 60mph in a 30mph zone, turning the car's lights off at a junction and going through a red light.

He was driving on the wrong side of Upper Town Street when he crashing with an oncoming BMW.

The BMW span and hit a Mercedes car and the Hyundai was flung into the air.

Athay's girlfriend had to be cut out of the car and taken to hospital where it was found she had fractures to her spine, sternum and ribs.

Police found cocaine in Athay's pocket.

Athay, of Heath Hall Avenue, Bierley, Bradford, admitted causing serious injury by dangerous driving, driving without a licence, driving without insurance and possession of a class A drug.

He has 34 previous convictions for 71 offences, including dangerous driving

Amarpal Singh, mitigating, said: "Luckliy the injuries sustained by his partner were not life threatening and she has fully recovered."

Athay was jailed for a year and eight months and banned from driving for four years and 10 months.