A FLEEING driver was tracked by the police helicopter after the patrol car chasing him towards Bradford city centre aborted the high-speed pursuit because it was too dangerous.

Anthony Foy had twice crossed the road and headed for other vehicles, run numerous red lights and driven on Wakefield Road at 97mph, Bradford Crown Court heard yesterday.

Jailing him for six months, Judge Colin Burn said the only good thing, if that was what it could be called, was that the chase ‘didn’t end in carnage.’

Foy, 43, of Whitehall Road, Lower Wortley, Leeds, was spotted by the police on Drighlington Bypass shortly before midnight on November 17 in a Toyota Avensis with a registration number that didn’t match the vehicle.

Prosecutor Alisha Kaye said he was ordered to stop but sped off on to Wakefield Road, doing 97mph in a 40 zone and going the wrong way past bollards on Station Road before doubling back.

He headed towards Birstall at 75mph in a 40 limit forcing other drivers to slow down to avoid a collision as he ran red lights. He went 60 in a 20 zone, straight across a mini-roundabout and drove on a housing estate at 50mph.

Miss Kaye said Foy was then back on Wakefield Road, doing 80mph on the wrong side of the carriageway, and jumping red lights on Tong Street.

As he sped towards Bradford city centre, tracked by the police helicopter, the pursuing patrol car abandoned the chase because of the danger it posed.

Foy then stopped the car after the eight-minute pursuit and ran off towards the city centre, watched by the helicopter crew.

After he was arrested he told the police he accelerated off because he thought he was wanted for something else. He went on to plead guilty to dangerous driving.

Miss Kaye said he had previous convictions for possession of an offensive weapon, assault and threatening behaviour.

Ian Howard said in mitigation that Foy had a full driving licence and the car was insured. He was not under the influence of alcohol or drugs and so was in full control of the vehicle.

Foy had worked as a concierge manager until he was made redundant in 2021 and he had been unable to find employment since. His wife had left him causing his life to further unravel.

Judge Burn said Foy made the deliberate decision to try to escape from the police.

His driving was so dangerous that the only appropriate punishment was a sentence of immediate custody.

Foy had a previous conviction for what was apparently a road rage incident. He pre-sented a danger when he was behind the wheel of a car.

He was banned from driving for 15 months and he must pass an extended test before he gets his licence back.