A FLEEING driver sped over a grassy mound and down a narrow snicket in a desperate bid to escape pursuing police officers, Bradford Crown Court heard yesterday.

Safian Mohammed panicked when officers ordered him to stop in Wheatley Terrace, Manningham, Bradford, shortly before midnight on December 19.

Mohammed sped off in his Seat Ibiza, jumping a red light and accelerating to double the 30mph speed limit, prosecutor Ian Howard said.

He led police on a four minute chase in the Manningham Lane district, on streets including Green Lane, Lumb Lane, Laburnum Road and Carlisle Road.

Mohammed, 21, of Clifton Villas, Manningham, pleaded guilty to dangerous driving at Bradford and Keighley Magistrates Court and was committed to the crown court for sentence.

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He also admitted having no insurance.

Mr Howard said Mohammed ignored a police instruction to pull over. He slowed down at first but then sped off at speeds up to 61mph.

He went down a narrow back street, through a red light and twice crossed on to the wrong side of the road.

Trapped in a cul-de-sac, he turned and drove at the patrol vehicle, swerving at the last moment to escape.

When he fled down a narrow snicket, the police did not follow. Soon afterwards, they found the Seat on Back Blenheim Mount.

Mohammed handed himself into the police two days later when he knew they were on to him, Mr Howard said.

He admitted the offence, telling officers he had been stupid.

His barrister, Geraldine Kelly, said it was a short chase, at night when the roads were quiet, and no one was hurt.

Mohammed had a partner and baby son to support.

He was working as a volunteer at a takeaway to gain work experience and he hoped for a career in the security industry.

Judge Mark Savill sentenced him to six months imprisonment, suspended for 12 months, with 200 hours of unpaid work.

He was banned from driving for 12 months.

Judge Savill told Mohammed: "Be under no illusions. This was a very close run thing and if I see you again, you will go to prison."

Mohammed had driven very dangerously, off-road, on back streets and through a very narrow gap.

"It is pure chance that nobody was hurt, or that property was not damaged. Anything could have happened with you driving in that disgraceful way," the judge said.