AN UNLICENSED and uninsured driver lost control of his car causing £5,780 to a property and two vehicles after he was seen racing a quad bike, Bradford Crown Court heard today.

Connor Craft crashed the Ford Focus into a garden on Goose Cote Lane in Oakworth, Keighley, in the early hours of August 1, 2019.

He pleaded guilty to dangerous driving and to three offences of criminal damage, to two vehicles and a property, after his vehicle ended up in the garden.

Prosecutor Jessica Strange said the police spotted the Ford Focus racing a quad bike from Oakworth Road on to Goose Cote Lane.

The car overtook the bike which then seemed to slow down to get in the way of the pursuing officers before going off in a different direction.

Craft, 20, of Minnie Street, Keighley, then crashed into the garden, damaging a wall, windows, and the two parked vehicles.

The total bill for the damage was £5,780, Miss Strange said.

The owners of the address undertook three weeks of repair work themselves, the court was told.

A chair in the living room had a large brick thrown into it by the impact of the smash and it was fortunate the incident was at 2.30am, Miss Strange said.

One vehicle was written off and the insurance company paid out £3,400. The owner of the second damaged car forked out £500 to repair it to avoid paying excess on their insurance.

Craft admitted to the police that he was racing the bike and that his driving was dangerous.

He pleaded guilty to the offence on the day of his trial.

Craft’s barrister Paul Canfield said it was “a little race” over a short distance and lasted only two minutes. No one was injured in the crash.

Craft, who was a juvenile at the time, had a partner and four children and worked seven days a week at a car wash to support his family.

Judge David Hatton QC sentenced him to 18 months imprisonment, suspended for two years, with 15 rehabilitation activity days and 120 hours unpaid work.

He must obey a two month curfew order and he was banned from driving for 12 months and until he passes an extended test.