Learner driver crashed stolen car after police chase in Leeds

Police tried to stop the blue Vauxhall Agila that Milenyem Kassa was driving on Sholebroke Street, Chapeltown, Leeds Crown Court heard.

Benjamin Bell, prosecuting, said there was pursuit lasting two minutes just before 3pm on December 8 2020.

The court heard Kassa, 20, hit a plastic bollard before crashing into a wall on cul de sac Hamilton Gardens.

Kassa ran off but was detained by police, who found a six inch zombie knife in his pocket.

The Vauxhall Agila had been taken after a burglary at a house in the Potternewton area of Leeds four days earlier.

The court heard Kassa had not been linked to the burglary.

Kassa, of Reginald Mount, Potternewton, admitted dangerous driving, possessing a knife in a public place, having no insurance, and driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence.

Anthony Sugare, mitigating, said the chase lasted one minute and 53 seconds, adding: "In the scale of dangerous driving, this was a very short chase."

Judge Mushtaq Khokar told Kassa: "Other road users had to swerve out of your way to avoid a collision with you.

"In the end there was a second collision with a wall. The vehicle was already damaged.

"You are putting other people at risk of serious injury or at worse, death."

Judge Khokar sentenced Kassa to nine months detention in a young offender institution, suspended for 18 months.

Kassa must do 150 hours unpaid work and complete 10 rehabilitation activity days.