A BANNED and uninsured driver was almost 10 times the drug limit when he led the police on a pursuit in which he narrowly missed two pedestrians. 

Sharaz Ali sped off with dust flying when he spotted the officers on patrol in Keighley on the afternoon of Saturday, September 3, last year, Bradford Crown Court heard on Friday.

Ali, 38, of Langbar Avenue, Heaton, Bradford, pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, driving over the drug limit, and driving while disqualified and uninsured. 

He was jailed for 18 months and banned from driving for four years and nine months. 

Prosecutor Alisha Kaye said that he sped off in a Peugeot 407 down Coronation Way, Braithwaite Avenue and West Lane. 

He doubled back at the Oakworth Road roundabout, returning on the wrong side of the carriageway. 

Ali twice put pedestrians in danger, once on a crossing and then by mounting the pavement, the court was told.

The second pedestrian had to jump on to a metal barrier to avoid the car. 

He drove down a dead end at Cark Road and was chased, apprehended and handcuffed. 

He was nearly ten times the drug limit and he was banned and uninsured, Miss Kaye said. 

Ali damaged the front of the car on a kerb and one of the tyres was hanging off. 

He made no comment when questioned by the police. 

He had previous convictions for possession with intent to supply Class A drugs, ABH, kidnap, driving over the alcohol limit, dangerous driving, drug driving and driving while disqualified and uninsured. He had served jail sentences over the years. 

Miss Kaye said it was a prolonged, deliberate and highly dangerous piece of driving while under the influence of drugs and in heavily populated residential areas. 

John Bottomley conceded in mitigation that it was a very serious piece of dangerous driving, putting other road users and pedestrians at risk, by a man with a bad criminal record. 

But Ali had a number of serious health conditions, including heart trouble, a skin condition and problems with oxygen getting to his brain. 

He lived with his wife and cared for his mother, Mr Bottomley said. 

Judge Andrew Hatton said it was an appalling piece of driving on busy roads, putting at risk the lives of a substantial number of people. 

He made a deprivation order to ensure the police do not return the Peugeot to Ali.