A BRADFORD businessman who tried to outrun a police patrol car in a high-speed 20 minute pursuit through villages and down back lanes has been jailed for ten months.

Former soldier Lee Holt continued to drive his Range Rover at up to 70mph after a tyre shredded, Bradford Crown Court heard today.

He told police officers he had taken strong sleeping pills and drunk alcohol and had little recollection of his actions that night.

Holt, 33, of Keighley Road, Bradley, near Skipton, pleaded guilty to dangerous driving at after 11.30pm on January 11.

Prosecutor Heather Gilmore said he was chased by a police patrol vehicle, with its blue light flashing, from Skipton town centre, through Bradley, back to Skipton, out to Cononley and on to the main road to Keighley.

He crossed on to the wrong side of the road several times, went above the speed limit and ended up stuck on a grass verge.

He was apprehended after making off on foot.

Miss Gilmore said Holt smelt of alcohol but refused to provide a specimen and breath.

He was charged with that offence but it was not proceeded with.

Holt admitted to the police that his driving was "disgraceful". He had taken two strong sleeping pills that evening and did not usually drink alcohol.

Miss Gilmore said he was in breach of an eight month jail sentence, suspended for 18 months, imposed at York Crown Court for trademark offences. He sold fake branded key fobs on eBay to promote his business.

Holt's barrister, Robin Frieze, said his client was a self-employed businessman.

His vehicle tuning firm, based at Eccleshill, employed two people.

Holt was the father of two young children and he took sleeping pills after being the victim of an armed robbery in 2012. He had suffered serious physical injury and lasting psychological trauma.

Holt served in the Royal Signals, seeing active service in Kosovo, but he was dismissed from the Army and jailed by a court martial for hitting a man with a bottle. Mr Frieze said Holt was 18 at the time and his victim had bullied him while they were in Kosovo.

Mr Frieze said Holt was "appallingly ashamed" of his driving that night.

Recorder David Wilby QC jailed Holt for six months for dangerous driving and he activated four months of the suspended jail term consecutively.

He banned him from driving for two years and ordered him to take an extended test to get back his licence.