'Drowsy' Mercedes driver high on cocaine led police on high-speed chase through Leeds streets
A driver who was high on cocaine “was at the limits of his driving” when he tried to outrun police through residential streets in Leeds.
Former HGV driver Lee Casey reached speeds up to 80mph in 40mph zones as he tried put his foot down in the Mercedes.
Watchguard footage from the tailing police car showed Casey almost losing control of the car several times as he took corners at high speeds.
The 47-year-old was jailed at Leeds Crown Court and given a lengthy driving ban after admitting dangerous driving, being over the drug-drive limit and having no insurance.
Prosecutor Anthony Moore said police tried to pull over the Mercedes C-Class at around 11.30pm on July 6 last year on the A58 inner ring road.
But Casey put accelerated and reached 78mph through Holbeck towards the M621.
He ran a red light and almost skidded off the road at one point. He reached 80mph in East End Park as he headed towards York Road.
But before he could go any further, the police made tactical contact with the Mercedes, bringing it to a stop. He got out and ran but quickly arrested.
Officers noticed that he seemed drowsy, but he refused to give a road-side saliva sample for drug testing.
However, he later agreed to a blood test and was found to be three times over the legal drug-drive limit for cocaine.
He has 50 previous offences to his name, including drugs and driving offences, and has been jailed for robbery and violence in the past.
Mitigating, Ben Sayers said that Casey, of Brown Hill Crescent, Harehills, had been given news that his mother is suffering from genetic disorder and there was a 50 per cent chance Casey would contract the illness.
He said that Casey was also reeling from a cancer diagnoses from another family member and had fallen back into drug use.
He said that he was “deeply regretful” and “knows he could have seriously injured somebody”.
Judge Robin Mairs told Casey: “You were prepared to run the risk of catastrophic injury or death in a bid to escape officers.
“You were at the very limits of your driving conduct.”
He jailed Casey for 14 months and banned him from driving for four years and seven months. He must also take an extended driving test to get his licence back.