A BANNED driver has been jailed for performing high speed stunts on a stolen motorbike around Bradford city centre.

Nathan Smith, 29, was seen by the police “pulling wheelies” on a KTM 450 off-road machine while riding in a three-mile loop through busy streets on the afternoon of February 1.

He and another rider, who was never traced, were “performing to each other and the public” on Sunbridge Road, Manningham Lane, Queen’s Road, King’s Road and Thornton Road, Bradford Crown Court was told yesterday.

Smith, a car welder, of Thompson Avenue, Swain House, Bradford, pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, driving while disqualified and handling the bike as stolen goods.

Prosecutor Peter Hampton said Smith and his fellow rider escaped the law on the day but he was arrested when he was identified from CCTV footage.

The £2,000 bike he was riding had false registration plates and was stolen from the owner’s garage two weeks before.

Smith had a previous conviction for driving with excess alcohol.

He was in breach of a16-week sentence of imprisonment which has been suspended for 12 months, imposed on January 22 this year for dangerous driving.

Mr Hampton said Smith was racing a black car on King’s Road, Bradford, on September 15 last year.

He almost hit a student on a pedestrian crossing and pursuing police officers had to travel at 75mph in a 40mph to keep up with him.

Smith’s solicitor advocate, Alistair Bateman, said he was a hard-working family man who had never been to prison before.

He confessed his guilt at the earliest opportunity and had work as a car valeter lined up when he was released.

Judge David Hatton QC jailed Smith for a total of 46 weeks.

He said: “This was an appalling piece of driving.”

Smith was disqualified from driving for 18 months and he must take an extended test before he holds another licence.