Leeds driver sped across kids’ play area during police chase

Officers had to abandon the pursuit of Aaron Feeley because of the risk he posed to members of the public in the Armley area of Leeds.

Leeds Crown Court heard Aaron Feeley was the subject of a 12 month driving ban at the time of the incident on April 19 this year.

A police officer approached Feeley as he was sat in his Transit van on Percy Street as he was speaking to three people at 11.30am.

Feeley reversed the vehicle and drove off as the officer tried to grab the door handle.

Another officer then followed Feeley in a police car. Feeley pulled out in front of traffic on Tong Road, causing two cars to brake and swerve to avoid a collision.

He then ignored give way signs and drove across junctions without stopping. When he reached Hall Lane he drove onto a grass verge where children were playing.

Vincent Blake-Barnard, prosecuting, said the vehicle went airborne and bounced out of control at one point.

The officer then stopped following Feeley because of the danger to the public.

Feeley, of Whincover Road, Farnley, was arrested the next day at his home and his van was found parked nearby. A small amount of cannabis was found inside the property.

Feeley pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, driving without insurance or a licence and possession of cannabis.

Stuart Field, mitigating, said Feeley had bought the van despite his ban in the hope of finding more work in the building trade.

Mr Field said his client had been trying to earn money to pay off people he owed £3,000.

He said Feeley had previously been attacked by those he was indebted to and had suffered a broken jaw.

Recorder Paul Isaacs jailed Feeley for 13 weeks. He said: “This was an appalling piece of driving in my view. The only sentence I can impose is one of immediate custody”