A TEENAGER who drove at 70mph on the wrong side of a central reservation while being chased by police has been locked up for eight months.

Bilal Shah spent 19 seconds heading into oncoming traffic at more than double the speed limit during the pursuit across Bradford.

Shah, 19, of Gaythorne Terrace, Clayton, Bradford, pleaded guilty to driving dangerously and without insurance at 11.20am on April 29 last year.

His Vauxhall Corsa was followed by traffic officers from Low Lane, Clayton, prosecutor Ben Thomas told Bradford Crown Court yesterday.

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When Shah mounted the kerb and drove over the pavement on to Thornton Road, he was signalled to stop and chased at speeds of up to 80mph along roads, including Old Road and Bell Dean Road.

Shah drove into a cul-de-sac and jumped out of the moving car, the court was told.

His passenger climbed into the driving seat and drove off.

Shah was chased on foot and apprehended in York Street.

Mr Thomas said the five minute car chase was at high speeds in a 30mph zone during wet weather.

Shah told the police he was not driving the car but pleaded guilty on the day of his trial.

He also admitted breaching an eight month sentence of custody, suspended for two years, imposed at Leeds Crown Court last November for handling stolen goods.

His barrister, Nigel Jamieson, said Shah was 18 at the time of the dangerous driving offence and lacked maturity.

He was always going to be convicted of the charge and had "buried his head in the sand".

Shah had since served two short custodial sentences for other matters and had no intention of re-offending.

He was in work and helped his parents, who both had health problems, with shopping and other duties.

Shah had learned his lesson after a short period in which he repeatedly appeared before the courts.

He had lately made an effort to complete more of the unpaid work order attached to the suspended sentence.

"He is in a position to lead a more constructive life if given the opportunity today," Mr Jamieson said.

Judge David Hatton QC said: "It was a serious and protracted period of dangerous driving at grotesque speeds in a restricted area during hazardous weather conditions, and it demands a custodial sentence."

Shah had since served two custodial sentences and his response to the suspended order had been "lamentable", said the judge.

He sent Shah to a young offender institution for four months for dangerous driving and four months of the suspended sentence were activated to run consecutively. He was also banned from driving for 12 months.

Shah must take an extended retest to be able to drive again.