Stinger brought driver to halt after 95-mph chase through Morley residential streets
A driver led police on high-speed chase around the streets in a stolen car, but was brought to a grinding halt after a stinger was used to burst his tyres.
The Toyota Auris had been taken in a burglary and was being driven by Jamie Hegarty when it was spotted by police hours later.
Hegarty was given a suspended sentence at Leeds Crown Court, despite being told by the judge that he “richly deserved prison”.
The car was taken in the burglary in Beeston in the early hours of June 1, 2023, the court heard.
Then at around 9.25pm, patrolling officers saw the car on Gelderd Road in Morley, which appeared to accelerate away.
Followed by police, Hegarty then reached speeds up to 80 and 95mph in 30mph limits as the police struggled to keep pace.
Watchguard footage of the six-minute chase was played to the court.
Having travelled along Ingle Avenue and Springfield Avenue, the stinger was deployed which burst his tyres and forced Hegarty to stop just 30 seconds later.
Two passengers got out and ran, followed by Hegarty who was quickly detained by police.
Hegarty, of Woodlea Mount, Leeds, tried to deny he was driving, even trying to shift the blame onto one of his passengers, but his fingerprints were later found on the gearstick.
The 26-year-old admitted a charge of dangerous driving. A charge of aggravated vehicle taking was ordered to lie on file.
He has 10 previous convictions for 20 offences, mainly for theft. However, he has most recently been jailed was burglary since the police chase.
Mitigating for Hegarty, James Holding said his life had settled down since then and he now had a job as a warehouse operative and that he also had stable accommodation.
Judge Andrew Stubbs KC told Hegarty he simply “did not care” for the safety of himself, his passengers or others on the road that evening.
But he opted to give him a chance, handing him a 10-month sentence suspended for two years, ordering him to complete 15 rehabilitation days and 80 hours of unpaid work.
He was also banned from driving for 18 months and ordered to take an extended re-test to get his licence back.
Judge Stubbs warned him: “If you break this order, me and you are going to meet.”