A man who led police on a 15-minute chase during which he drove through red lights, went on the wrong side of the road and caused thousands of pounds of damage has been jailed for nine months.

Bradford Crown Court heard how Daniel Brogden, 24, had admitted aggravated vehicle-taking while he had been on bail for other alleged offences, including rape of which he was later acquitted.

The court heard how Brogden, of Alexander Road, Shipley, had been seen in a Ford Transit van that police linked to an alleged theft. Police followed him to a petrol station but once he realised he was being followed, he drove off.

Judge John Potter said: “What followed was a disgraceful piece of driving.

“It can’t be viewed as a momentary act because there was a police chase with you driving for about 15 minutes.

“You drove through red lights when asked by police to stop you ignored their lights, drove through residential streets ocassionally on the wrong side of the road causing vehicles to stop and when a police car got in front, in a wholly reckless manner, you decided to drive on the grass verge and pavement to get away.”

When Brogden drove the van into a cul-de-sac with police behind him, he managed to turn around and drove back up the road damaging cars on the way.

It was only when he drove down a dead-end street that he was stopped and arrested.

The court also heard Brogden had admitted breaching notification requirements imposed on him following a conviction for a sexual offence dating back to November 2011. In mitigation for Brogden, Jayne Beckett, said he had admitted not telling police he was staying at a girlfriend’s house in Bingley for a six to eight week period but in his mind his registered address was still the one in Shipley.

In respect of the aggravated vehicle taking offence she said the van and keys were in his possession but what he was not entitled to do was to drive it.

“He panicked because he was not licenced and not insured. He is beside himself for allowing that to happen.” she said.

Judge Potter said the nine month jail term, included one month for the breach of notification, which would be served consecutively.

He also disqualified Brogden from driving from 12 months and ordered him to take a test before he could drive again.

“You will serve half of the sentence and will be released on licence,” Judge Potter told Brogden before he was led to the cells.