‘Career burglar’ held after chase jailed

Jailing Graham Paul Adair yesterday at Leeds Crown Court, Judge Tom Bayliss QC told him that with nine previous appearances for burglary “over the years you appear to have made burglary a career”.

Robert Galley, prosecuting, said an off-duty policeman on his way home spotted Adair driving a Vauxhall Corsa in the early hours of November 10 in Oakwood and was immediately suspicious because it appeared to have a door open.

In fact Adair, who had been drinking, had just taken the car from outside a house in Montagu Crescent after stealing the keys in a burglary.

The officer pulled up behind Adair and got out to speak to him but had to jump out of the way as Adair reversed into his vehicle, before doing a three point turn to escape, scraping down the side 
of the officer’s car and taking off his wing mirror before driving 
off.

Police vehicles then pursued Adair as he drove through a give way junction without stopping and on to the wrong side of the road. He reached speeds up to 47mph along Amberton Road and Foundry Approach before eventually turning into Harehills Park Terrace where he was boxed in.

He then scrambled over the bonnet to escape only to be chased and caught, said Mr Galley.

Adair, 34, of Oak Tree Walk, Gipton, admitted burglary, aggravated vehicle taking, dangerous driving and with excess alcohol. He also asked for 16 other offences to be taken into consideration.

Jailing him Judge Bayliss said burglary is a “pernicious crime. In parts of Leeds the burglary rate is six times the national average”.