Leeds driver lost control of van near children’s play area during police chase

A learner driver who led police on a high speed chase through Harehills before losing control and jumping out of a runaway van near a children’s play area has escaped an immediate jail sentence.
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Leeds Crown Court heard 19-year-old Mohammed Adnan Abid “panicked” when police spotted him speeding in a white Ford Connect van on Lupton Avenue and gave chase just after 9pm on August 11.

Adnan, of Dorset Road, Harehills, sped away and failed to give way as he turned on to Harehills Lane at excessive speed.

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Prosecutor, Kathryn Stuckey said he drove at 70mph in a 30mph zone and continued speeding along Strathmore Avenue and Strathmore Terrace, which is blocked at one end by bollards.

Miss Stuckey said Adnan drove on a pedestrianised area around the bollards before travelling along Harehills Lane, Cowper Road and Cowper Mount at 40mph in a 20mph zone.

Adnan drove through a red traffic light on Darfield Road and turned left on to Harehills Lane before attempting to turn left on to Hovingham Avenue.

Miss Stuckey said: “He clipped the kerb with the near-side rear tyre and lost control of the vehicle.

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“It veered right near a children’s play area and the driver jumped from the vehicle while it was still moving.

“The van continued to roll out of control, bouncing off a grass verge, before coming to a rest on Hovingham Avenue.”

Adnan tried to run away, but was caught by police.

Mitigating, Graham Parkin said: “He panicked.

“He had paid money for a vehicle intending to sell it and had no licence or insurance.

“He was looking at the loss of that vehicle because these days for no insurance the vehicle is impounded.”

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Adnan admitted dangerous driving, failing to stop, driving without a valid licence, and driving without insurance.

Sentencing Adnan to a nine-month jail sentence, suspended for 12 months, Recorder Sophie Drake told him: “You lost control near a children’s playground and jumped out of the vehicle and it rolled away.

“It is very fortunate no-one was hurt in this case.”

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