Disgusting farm worker spat in officer's face after high-speed Leeds chase
Helicopter had to be scrambled to keep pace
A farm labourer who fled police in a 4x4 and had to be tracked by a helicopter has been jailed.
Kevin Moore refused to go quietly after being arrested, spitting in the face of one officer.
The 37-year-old admitted dangerous driving and assaulting an emergency worker at Leeds Crown Court this week.
But he was told by the judge that he had “tried to play system”, having only admitted the charges on the day he was due to stand trial and purposely delay his sentencing.
Moore, of Wykebeck Valley Road, Gipton, has multiple previous driving convictions.
Prosecutor Thomas Theakston said officers had been patrolling in the early hours of August 21, 2023, when they spotted the Vauxhall Monterey that they thought did not look road worthy.
Heading towards the A64 it then turned back on itself, so officers tried to pull it over.
Moore put his foot down and reached 58mph in 20mph residential zones.
He ignored junctions, mounted pavements and drove along grass verges.
He eventually lost the police car on Foundry Lane after heading over a grassy area.
But the police helicopter was able to track the Vauxhall to a field, where they spotted Moore walking away and into a wooded area.
Ground officers were guided to his location where he was arrested.
They put him in leg and arm restraints as he lashed out and abused the officers.
He then spat in an officer’s face.
Moore later gave a largely no-comment interview, but denied driving the Vauxhall.
He has 32 previous convictions for 69 offences, including 26 for driving matters.
Mitigating, Aimilia Katsoulakis said Moore “fully appreciated the seriousness” of his offending and accepted responsibility.
She said he worked as a farm labourer and since then had “not even had a parking ticket nor a speeding fine” in the last two years.
She said his partner was heavily pregnant and he was the sole provider.
But Judge Ray Singh told Moore: “You have played the system, no doubt.
“Defendants who choose to play the system need to understand it’s not clever.
“You have an appalling list of convictions of a like nature. You have no regard to legitimate road users.”
He jailed Moore for 14 months and gave him a 31-month driving ban.