Dad had four-year-old daughter in car as he crashed while high on cannabis in Leeds police chase

A man had his four-year-old daughter in his car as he crashed during a police chase while high on cannabis.
By Tony Gardner
Published 15th Oct 2019, 06:00 BST
Grant had his daughter in car as he crashed into van and car during police chase near to the M621 roundabout at Beeston.Grant had his daughter in car as he crashed into van and car during police chase near to the M621 roundabout at Beeston.
Grant had his daughter in car as he crashed into van and car during police chase near to the M621 roundabout at Beeston.

Daniel Grant was jailed for 12 months after Leeds Crown Court was shown police dashcam footage of him hitting a car and a van .

Grant's young daughter was in the car as he weaved in and out of traffic at speed through Leeds city centre.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

David Ward, prosecuting, said police signalled for Grant to stop when they spotted his car on the Headrow at 3.45pm on January 9 this year.

Leeds Crown CourtLeeds Crown Court
Leeds Crown Court

The previous day the driver of the same vehicle had failed to stop for officers.

Grant, 33, weaved in and out of rush-hour traffic on the Inner Ring Road, around Armley Gyratory and towards the M621.

He narrowly avoided a collision with a HGV before trying to squeeze through a gap between a car and van.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Grant struck both vehicles, causing a wheel on his car to buckle.

Police footage showed Grant being arrested from the vehicle and an officer carrying his daughter to safety.

A roadside test showed Grant to be over the legal limit for cannabis.

He was also found in possession of a cannabis joint.

Grant, of Devon Close, Little London, Leeds, pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, drug driving, having no licence and having no insurance.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

He has previous convictions for violence and motoring offences.

Probation officer Mike Cooper told the court Grant had said during interview that he had driven off in panic after seeing the police.

Sean Smith, mitigating, said Grant did not realise at first that police were chasing him.

Mr Smith said Grant's daughter had been wearing a seat belt but climbed onto his knee after the collision when she saw police coming to the car.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

He added that Grant had admitted the offences at an early stage.

Jailing Grant, Judge Simon Batiste said: "It beggars belief that someone could drive in such a reckless, dangerous manner.

"You are 33 years of age and you have a terrible record of previous convictions.

"Despite everything said on your behalf only a custodial sentence can be imposed."

Grant was also banned from driving for three-and-a-half years.