Man sentenced over Bradford dangerous driving incident

Christopher Johnston, 32, of Trentham Grove, Beeston, Leeds, was sentenced to 19 months in prison at Bradford Crown Court for an incident of dangerous driving in Bradford in October last year.

That sentence, however, was suspended for 24 months by what Recorder Ashley Serr called “exceptional circumstances”, one of which included the attacker of his late mother being released from prison on the day of Johnston’s offending.

Johnston was in court charged with five offences committed in the Boltby Lane area of Bradford on October 25, 2023, charges which dangerous driving, aggravated vehicle taking, drink driving, driving while disqualified and possession of a knife.

The Boltby Lane area of Buttershaw, where some of the offending took place (Image: Google Street View)

Crown Prosecutor Ayman Khokhar said that at 2.50pm on October 25, two police officers were patrolling Boltby Lane in Buttershaw, searching for a stolen Mini Cooper.

Once they found the vehicle, the officers said the vehicle “lurched forward” before it was blocked by the police vehicle.

The driver, Johnston, reversed into some wooden pallets before driving forward and “ramming” the police car.

Mr Khokhar said Johnston drove off exceeding the speed limit before driving straight through a give way junction.

He said Johnston then drove down a road “narrowly missing a BMW which had to swerve and slam on its breaks to avoid a head-on collision”.

Johnston then drove on two more roads before coming to a dead end, where he got of the vehicle. The officers gave chase and arrested Johnston.

The case was heard at Bradford Crown Court (Image: Newsquest)

The officers found a knife in the vehicle and when they took Johnston to Trafalgar House Police Station, they noticed he was “under the influence”.

He took a breath test and was found to be 44 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath, exceeding the limit of 35 microgrammes. He was also charged with driving while disqualified.

When referencing Johnston’s sentencing guidelines, Mr Khokhar said: “The defendant demonstrated a deliberate disregard for the rules of the road and other road users.”

Mr Khokhar also said Johnston had a lengthy record of 45 convictions for 78 offences from 2005 to 2023, including a dangerous driving offence.

Johnston’s defence solicitor Nathan Davis said: “Having spoken to him, he’s an individual who’s turned his life around.”

However, Mr Davis pointed out that Johnston's offending took place on the same date his mother's attacker was released from prison.

Mr Davis said: “This caused him to spiral and he turned to drink.”

Johnston’s support worker, Amanda Hopper, of the Angels of the Church charity, also praised him and described as a “brilliant tenant” at a flat he had moved into recently.

Mr Davis also said that although he was aware of the knife found in the vehicle, the bladed weapon did not belong to Johnston.

“The bereavement of the loss of his mother has caused him anxiety. He also had a troubled childhood and got into drug use at the age of 13.

“He’s receiving counselling for bereavement and he’s making efforts to engage in and deal with the causes of his mental health issues. He has a realistic prospect of rehabilitation.”

In handing down a sentence to Johnston, Recorder Serr said: “You took a Mini Cooper, rammed a police vehicle, engaged in short but dangerous pursuit and were apprehended after abandoning the vehicle.

“You have an appalling criminal record, but I’ve heard what Mr Davis had to say."

The Judge added that the tragic death of Johnston's mother "was a triggering event".

Recorder Serr added: “I’ve heard from your support worker Ms Hopper was quite praiseworthy of you and described you as a brilliant tenant. She will work with for the foreseeable future.

“You have had a tragic upbringing and have been involved in the criminal lifestyle, but you have started to make progress.”

Recorder Serr then sentenced Johnston to 15 months for the dangerous driving charge and four consecutive months for possession of the bladed weapon.

He added that he had "taken careful consideration" of the fact the perpetrator of his mother’s attack was released, so was "taking the exceptional step of suspending this sentence for 24 months."

“There will be a rehabilitation activity requirement of 30 days, an alcohol abstinence requirement of 120 days and disqualification from driving for three years with an extended retest.”