Watch moment drug driver speeds through busy residential streets in Yorkshire
This video shows the moment a drug driver speeds through busy residential streets in Yorkshire as he tried to evade police - even mounting a pavement to try and escape.
Lee Oakley led police on a high speed chase through the streets of York after he failed to stop for officers on Valentine’s Day in 2024.
Officers had been following the Nissan X-Trail in a marked police car as it was suspected the vehicle had cloned plates when it was spotted on the A19.
Oakley, 44, began to make a series of unusual turns to see if he was being followed, and when blocked in by police, he crashed into one of the cars before speeding off.
Police said he “drove at excess speed, went through numerous red traffic lights and mounted the pavement on a number of occasions, causing pedestrians to jump out the way” during the chase through the streets of York city centre.
He also crashed into another vehicle, causing £300 worth of damage, but eventually turned into a cul-de-sac where he was cornered by officers and quickly arrested - despite trying to run away.
Following his arrest, it transpired Oakley, of Coatham Road in Stockton, was already banned from driving until May 2027, and a drug test showed a positive result for cocaine.
The Nissan had been stolen from the Greater Manchester area six months before and had cloned plates.
Oakley appeared at Teesside Crown Court on Monday (Jan 19) where he was jailed for two years and 16 weeks, as well as being banned for a further 61 months after admitting dangerous driving, driving whilst disqualified and drug driving.
He was also ordered to take an extended driving test before he can apply for a new driving licence and pay a victim surcharge of £187.
Speaking about the incident, Police Sergeant Neil Sisson from the Roads Policing Group said: “During the pursuit, Oakley drove dangerously with no regard for other road users, his driving clearly falling way below the standards of a careful and competent driver.
“The Roads Policing Group at North Yorkshire Police will continue to target and bring to justice drivers like Oakley who flout the rules of the roads, and put themselves and others at risk.”