Cameras captured stolen car being driven dangerously hours before Leeds Stonegate Road tragedy

Police leaving flowers in tribute at the scene in Stonegate Road. PIC: PA

Cameras also captured the vehicle being driven dangerously.

Leeds Crown Court heard the car had been stolen after the keys to the Renualt Clio were taken from a Wilkinson’s store in Headingley shortly before 6.15pm on November 25.

A driver who knew the teenager saw him behind the wheel of the vehicle later, at 8pm, at traffic lights on Stonegate Road.

Mr Palmer said the inner light of the car was on and the witness recognised the youngster.

A group of people sat on a wall on Beckhill Approach watched the car speed past them before going onto a grassed area.

A camera captured the Clio being driven dangerously on Scott Hall Road, towards Moortown.

Footage shows the vehicle overtaking a car at speed by driving on the wrong side of the road to the far side of a traffic island.

Another driver who saw the collision said the Clio was driven through a red light without braking.

The same witness said he saw the back end of the vehicle began “snaking” before hitting what he thought was a lamp post and seeing passengers coming out of the car.

A women driving in the opposite carriageway said she was “petrified” as she saw the Clio “bouncing” towards her and feared a head-on collision.

The Clio struck a tree in front of her and she stopped to dial 999.

A resident on Stonegate Road looked out of his window and could see “half a car” outside his property.

He said the driver was trying to undo his seat belt and was kicking at the driver’s door.

The resident went to help but was unable to open the door as the teenager was screaming “get me out.”

The 15-year-old old was cut free after the resident went to fetch a knife.

As he got out of the car, the defendant said: “It wasn’t me, it wasn’t me. He pushed me in to the driver’s side.”

Members of the public chased after the teenager as he ran away.

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