AN UNINSURED driver panicked when he saw police, driving at more than twice the speed limit in a built-up area, Bradford Crown Court today.

Usman Mahmood, 23, of Hardknot Close, Great Horton, Bradford, was seen driving an Astra car in Great Horton Road, after half past midnight on Friday, October 10 last year.

He overtook a van and accelerated away. Police put on their bliue lights and sirens and reached a speed of 70mph in a 30mph limit as they tried to catch the Astra.

The court heard the driving lasted only for about 15 minutes and fortunately there were no pedestrians or other tyraffic about.

Judge David Hatton QC said it was a dreadful piece of driving but Mahmood was a hardworking man and the offence was totally out of character.

He was sentenced to a 12-month community order, with 200 hours unpaid work, disqualified from driving for 12 months and ordered to take an extended retest.