Mechanic who crashed customer's car during very short police foot chase in Leeds is jailed at Leeds Crown Court

A mechanic crashed a customer's car into a lamp post while trying to escape a police officer on foot in Leeds, a court heard.
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Usman Hussain, who did not have a full driving licence, panicked when police tried to stop the VW Polo he was driving on Copgrove Road in Roundhay, Leeds Crown Court heard.

Vincent Blake-Barnard, prosecuting said police in a marked car were responding to reports of suspicious activity at around 4.30pm on July 30.

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An officer walked over to Hussain's car and tried to talk to him, but he reversed and attempted a three point turn on the narrow road before mounting the pavement.

Copgrove Road, Roundhay.

Image: GoogleCopgrove Road, Roundhay.

Image: Google
Copgrove Road, Roundhay. Image: Google

Hussain, 27, drove over a garden wall and knocked it over before striking two cars and crashing into a lamp post.

The airbag in the Polo activated and Hussain was arrested by police at the scene.

Hussain, of Gipton Wood Road, Oakwood, admitted dangerous driving, driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence and driving without insurance.

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He has previous convictions for dangerous driving, driving while banned and without insurance or a licence.

Timothy Jacobs, mitigating, said: "The driving on this occasion in July was a moment of panic on his part.

"He shouldn't have been in the vehicle at all and he accepts that.

"There was no injury caused to anybody and the pursuit, if it can be called that, lasted a few metres at most.

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"The pursuit came to an end when the police officer on foot caught up with the vehicle, it having collided with a lamp post."

Mr Jacobs said Hussain lives with his parents, grandfather, brother and sister, and is the family breadwinner.

Mr Jacobs said Hussain was working as a mechanic, adding: "The driving on this occasion was of a customer's car."

Judge Simon Batiste jailed Hussain for six months and banned him from driving for two years and three months.