Police chased down driver in Leeds who had driven stolen car from Durham
He crashed into two cars on busy streets
A motorist who drove a stolen car from Durham smashed into two cars while trying to outrun police.
David Auckland was behind the wheel of the Ford Fiesta when he fled from officers in Bramley.
He was jailed at Leeds Crown Court after it was heard had an “appalling” number of driving offences on his record, including dangerous driving.
Prosecutor David Ward said the Fiesta was stolen from an industrial estate in Durham on July 7.
Hours later it was seen in Leeds, with officers then attempting to pull it over.
Auckland accelerated away reaching speed up to 50mph in built-up areas.
Oncoming vehicles were forced into taking evasive action. He then smashed into two cars, but refused to stop.
However, he did eventually climb out and run, but was quickly detained.
The 37-year-old, of Chapel Street, Crook, Durham, admitted dangerous driving, aggravated vehicle taking, driving while banned and having no insurance.
A probation report found that Auckland struggles with ADHD and autism, and was drinking heavily.
He admitted he knew the Fiesta was stolen when his friend drove to his home.
Auckland then decided to drive to Leeds to visit his sister, he claimed.
Mitigating, Jordan Parkinson said there was “no real justification” for his offending, and that he simply panicked when the police tried to stop him.
She said: “He has come to the point that he needs to turn his life around.
“He wants to live a law-abiding life and be a good role model for his son.”
The judge, Recorder Simon Jackson KC told Auckland: “You have an appalling record and a history of non-compliance.
“You drove when you know you should not have done. There’s no realistic prospect of you complying [with a non-custodial sentence].”
He jailed him for 14 months and gave him a 31-month driving ban. He must also taken an extended retest to get his licence back.