A MAN who drove at speed with a "cocktail of drugs" in his system has avoided an immediate jail sentence.

Mohammed Irfan, 35, admitted driving dangerously having taken cocaine, cannabis and MDMA, as well has carrying a small quantity of cannabis.

Irfan, of Arncliffe Terrace, Bradford, was spotted sitting in an uninsured Vauxhall Astra in Harecroft, near Wilsden, by police in the early hours of the morning, in July last year.

The officers pulled alongside the vehicle, attempting to see inside the steamed-up windows, and at this point Irfan pulled away at speed, Bradford Crown Court heard.

The prosecutor in the case outlined how he drove at excess speed on Haworth Road, Manywells Brow, Harden Road, Keighley Road and the A650, reaching speeds of 80mph in a 50 zone.

At one point he ran a red light, and when police attempted to box him in, he rammed into the police vehicle, which sustained damage that left it out of action for up to six weeks.

The pursuit lasted 15 minutes, and once it ended, a roadside drug test proved positive for both cannabis and cocaine.

A subsequent blood test found he was over the prescribed limit for cocaine, a cannabis derivative, and MDMA, the later of which he was 18 times over the limit.

In interview he admitted smoking two joints of cannabis before driving and that the cannabis found on him was his.

The court was told that Irfan had been distressed at the time of the incident due to the breakdown of his relationship with the mother of his child.

He panicked when the police car pulled alongside his, later regretting his actions, saying he should have just stopped and admitted he was under the influence of drugs.

Recorder Anthony Hawks sentenced to Irfan to 12 months in prison, suspended for 18 months. He must also carry out 200 hours of unpaid work in the community and is disqualified from driving for two years.

Recorder Hawks said of Irfan: "You had no business driving a car - it wasn't insured and you only had a provisional driving licence. You proceeded to take a cocktail of drugs - cocaine, cannabis and MDMA, and you were unfit to drive.

"Why you just didn't get out of the car, I don't know."

He warned: "If this driving had been any worse, and some injuries had been caused, then I would send you straight to prison."

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