VW Golf driver crashed in White Rose car park during police chase

Abdul Hayat, who had no licence or insurance and was under the influence of cocaine, refused to pull the white VW Golf over when police illuminated their lights. Leeds Crown Court heard he reached 70mph in a 30mph, then 55mph in a 20mph zone before travelling at 40mph in the car park of the shopping centre and losing control. He then ran into the shopping centre before being apprehended by the officer.

The court was played the police's dash cam footage from the evening of February 24, when they spotted the Golf on Dewsbury Road, driving at speed. They U-turned to follow and put on their lights and sirens, but Hayat refused to stop. He overtook on a blind bend before turning into the shopping centre. He hit the stationary car and the bollard before trying to flee. His passenger remained in the vehicle.

Hayat, 22, later admitted dangerous driving and having no licence or insurance. He had traces of cocaine in his system but was not charged.

A probation report suggested he borrowed the car while out with friends to briefly go back home to Camberley Street, Beeston. He told probation that he was "annoyed" with himself because he had his driving test booked for two days after that incident.

Mitigating, Soheil Khan said that Hayat had taken cocaine in the days leading up to the police chase but conceded: "The question is to what extent he was impaired we will never know."

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He said the chase had been "short lived" but added: "He recognises that although it was not busiest time [at White Rose] there was a significant risk to people being harmed. It was born out of panic. He knows he made a very stupid mistake and thought he could get away from it. He has learned a very salutary lesson."

Judge Kate Rayfield told Hayat: "A driving licence is a privilege, not a right. It's absolutely plain that this crosses the custody threshold. You were driving in a busy car park where children and families congregate. You were under the influence of cocaine, whether you accept that or not. But it was short lived, in the region of half a mile."

She gave him an eight-month jail sentence, suspended for 18 months, with 150 hours of unpaid work and a 12-month driving ban. He will also need to take an extended test to gain his licence.