Teenage danger driver caught on Bradford road is sentenced

Hasan Denton, 19, was spotted by police officers behind the wheel of a Peugeot 208 on Harrogate Road in Eccleshill at around 10.15am, in February this year.

When they attempted to pull him over, he initially moved to the side of the road and stopped for a few seconds, but then sped off, reaching speeds of double the limit.

Bradford Crown Court (Image: Newsquest)

Prosecutor Jade Bucklow told Bradford Crown Court how Denton turned onto Killinghall Road, overtaking several vehicles and ignoring “keep left” signing on the road.

He was recorded as travelling at around 60mph in what is a 30 zone.

She described how he “caused oncoming traffic to take evasive action and move out of his path”, ran through a red traffic light on Killinghall Road, then turned onto a narrow residential street with cars parked on either side.

He reached a dead-end then tried to flee on foot and was eventually found by an officer in the back garden of a nearby house.

The court heard that the pursuit only lasted around 3 minutes but he was recorded reaching speeds of 75mph.

It also emerged that Denton, of Wellands Terrace, Bradford, had never passed a driving test, so had not licence or insurance for the vehicle he was driving that day.

Denton admitted dangerous driving, as well as driving without a licence and insurance.

Harrogate Road and Killinghall Road junction in Bradford (Image: Google Street View)

Recorder Andrew Smith said Denton was “foolish” for not simply stopping that day and admitting to police he was not licensed or insured.

Instead he tried to flee and in doing so there was a “high risk” of a collision with an oncoming vehicle or a pedestrian.

Of dangerous driving he added: “It is prevalent in this city, there are many many young men who think it’s alright to drive a vehicle without a licence, without insurance.

“Their first reaction when the police try and stop them is to try and flee. Sometimes it leads to accidents where injuries are caused.

“Occasionally it leads to accidents when worse than that happens and either the person who shouldn’t be driving was killed or equally somebody else.

“That’s why it’s a serious offence.

He sentenced Denton to eight months detention suspended for 12 months.

He must abide by an electronically-monitored curfew for four months, and must attend up to 30 rehabilitation activity requirement days.

He is also banned from driving for 12 months and must take an extended retest.