Mechanic banned from driving hunted down by police dog after high-speed Leeds chase
Seat driver drove at 50mph in built-up areas
An out-of-work mechanic who drive to flee police at high speed was eventually brought down by a police dog.
Ben Lister later told said he had “panicked” having already been banned from the road, Leeds Crown Court was told.
He had been driving a Seat Ibiza around the Beeston area at 2am on August 16, 2024 .
Patrolling police noticed he was driving at excessive speed, so followed him along Old Lane.
When they illuminated their blue lights, he sped away.
He reached 50mph on 30mph roads where there were speed bumps and vehicles parked on either side.
Lister then went through a red light onto Dewsbury Road.
It was only when he got to Parkwood Crescent - where he lives - that the 24-year-old got out and ran.
But arriving police released a dog which chased him down. Lister received injuries from the dog before the officers could pull the animal away.
During his interview, Lister, readily admitted his conduct. He pleaded guilty to a charge of dangerous driving.
He had been banned from driving for 12 months in January last year for drug driving.
Mitigating, Andrew Stranex said Lister “now properly understands” how serious it was to get behind the wheel while banned.
He said Lister is a trained mechanic but has struggled to get a job due to his ban.
The judge, the Recorder of Leeds Guy Kearl KC, gave him an eight-month sentence, suspended for 18 months, with 20 rehabilitation days to complete with probation and 200 hours of unpaid work.
He was also given a new 12-month driving ban and ordered to pay £1,000 court costs.