A banned driver who was involved in a high-speed pursuit despite having a plaster cast on one leg has been jailed for eight months.

Bradford Crown Court heard that the early hours incident on New Year's Eve was the latest in a catalogue of motoring offences committed by 25-year-old Scott Mitchell over eight years.

Prosecutor Sheila Aldridge told the court yesterday that Mitchell, of Foston Lane, Fagley, broke into the Ford Mondeo which had been loaned to his aunt.

Mitchell, who was living with his aunt at the time, then drove off with a female companion.

He was pursued by police after a neighbour alerted them, but Mitchell tried to evade them by driving at up to 60mph in residential areas.

His car mounted the pavement, made a number of sharp turns and bounced over speed bumps at high speed.

In Leeds Road a person getting out of another car had to jump out of the way as he careered past.

He eventually stopped in Gloucester Avenue and police discovered that he had a pot on his leg - the result of an accident involving a police vehicle a few weeks before.

Judge Roger Ibbotson was told that Mitchell's previous convictions included seven incidents of driving while disqualified, six of taking cars without consent and one of dangerous driving.

Last month Mitchell admitted offences of aggravated vehicle taking, driving while disqualified and driving without insurance.

Jailing him yesterday Judge Ibbotson said his record represented an "appalling catalogue'' of convictions and only a sentence of immediate custody could be justified.

Barrister Jayne Beckett, for Mitchelll, said he had a bad record for offending, but he was ashamed of his actions that night.

He had made a stupid and short-sighted decision to take the vehicle and had panicked when the police officers tried to stop him.

In addition to his jail term Mitchell was also banned from driving again for two years and must take an extended test at the end of that disqualification.