Teenage burglar arrested in stolen car after driving the wrong way along A64 York Road in Leeds during police chase

A teenage burglar was arrested in a stolen car as he tried to drive the wrong way along York Road in Leeds.
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Police officers managed to block Thomas Compston's path near to the car park of the Irish Centre as he was about to re-enter the wrong carriageway of the A64 after a dangerous high speed chase across the city centre

The 18-year-old was sent to a young offender institution for 26 months over the incident in September last year.

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Compston was also sentenced at Leeds Crown Court for a burglary in Pudsey and using stolen bank cards to commit fraud.

Teen burglar Thomas Compston was arrested in a stolen car after driving the wrong way along York Road in LeedsTeen burglar Thomas Compston was arrested in a stolen car after driving the wrong way along York Road in Leeds
Teen burglar Thomas Compston was arrested in a stolen car after driving the wrong way along York Road in Leeds

Naakesha Michl, prosecuting, said Compston burgled a house on Kent Road, Pudsey, in the early hours of September 3.

The homeowner was asleep inside the house at the time Compston took a wallet and keys to his Peugeot car.

The vehicle was stolen and a bank card from the wallet was used to buy items at Broadway Service Station, in Horsforth.

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Compston was recognised from CCTV footage as he used the bank card.

Miss Michl said Compston went on to commit fraud on three further occasions, between September 12 and 13, using a bank card stolen in a break-in at a house on Heathfield Lane, Birkenshaw.

He used the card at a McDonanlds restaurant and twice at Pudsey Services, where he was again captured on CCTV footage.

Compston was involved in the police chase on September 15 after he was seen driving a Vauxhall Astra which had been fitted with false registration plates.

The vehicle had been stolen during a burglary in Harrogate.

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Compston refused to stop during the pursuit which lasted 30 minutes.

He drove at up to 60mph through roads in Leeds city centre.

Miss Michl said the incident happened shortly after midday when the area was busy with pedestrians.

He weaved through traffic, narrowly avoiding collisions with other vehicles and went the wrong way along a one-way road.

The defendant mounted a pavement then joined York Road and drove in the wrong lane of the dual carriageway.

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Officers abandoned the pursuit due to the danger it posed to members of the public.

He was seen again a short time later on Temple Grove Road, close to the Irish Centre car park, and was boxed in by police.

Compston, of Heights Way, Armley, pleaded guilty to burglary, theft, aggravated vehicle taking, driving without insurance and four counts of fraud.

Richard Reed, mitigating, said his client pleaded guilty to the offences at an early stage and was sorry for what he had done.

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Mr Reed added: "He wants to address his behaviour and he is willing to accept any help that can be offered in that regard."

Sentencing Compston, Judge Rodney Jameson QC, said: "You seem to have involved yourself with a group of other people who were committing offences.

"That is what you told the probation service.

"You say that you were one of the youngest involved in these offences.

"It is impossible to judge how accurate your assertions are."