A drink-driver who collided with three cars while trying to escape police during a high-speed pursuit from Bradford towards Leeds has been jailed for 13 months.
Waleed Hussain, 27, of Fawcett Avenue, Lower Wortley, Leeds, was arrested after his VW Golf finally came to a stop on Stanningley Bypass following what prosecutors described as a “prolonged and highly dangerous piece of driving”.
Bradford Crown Court heard that Hussain had been drinking with a friend in Bradford on 7 July but nevertheless decided to drive home.
At around 6pm, he attracted the attention of police after running a red light on Leeds Road towards Thornbury.
Traffic in the area was heavy and moving slowly at the time.
Officers signalled for Hussain to stop, but rather than comply he accelerated away.
Driver Forced To Avoid Head-On Collision
Prosecuting barrister Ciara Church told the court that Hussain continued at speed despite speed bumps, parked vehicles and other traffic.
On Nottingham Street, his route was obstructed by an oncoming vehicle.
The other driver was forced to move out of Hussain’s path to prevent a head-on collision.
Hussain then turned onto Dick Lane, where he accelerated to 50mph despite the road having a 20mph speed limit.
He overtook other vehicles as the pursuit continued.
At Thornbury roundabout, Hussain forced his Golf through traffic lights and towards the front of a queue, colliding with another vehicle.
He then accelerated to 60mph in a 40mph zone.
The court heard that Hussain overtook and undertook other motorists and weaved between vehicles as he continued attempting to evade police.
Three Cars Hit Before Golf Stopped
When Hussain reached the end of Stanningley Bypass, he attempted to force his way through traffic.
He made contact with two more vehicles, bringing the total number of cars struck during the pursuit to three.
The Golf eventually came to a stop.
A passenger who had been travelling with Hussain got out and fled from the scene.
Hussain remained inside and was arrested by police while attempting to restart the vehicle.
He was found to be heavily intoxicated and subsequently provided a breath alcohol reading of 63 micrograms per 100ml.
The legal limit is 30 micrograms per 100ml.
Hussain pleaded guilty to dangerous driving and driving with alcohol above the prescribed limit.
Previous Drink-Driving Conviction
The court heard Hussain had two previous convictions, including a conviction for drink-driving in 2022.
His barrister, Ella Embleton-Brown, said Hussain had begun drinking at the age of 16 as a way of dealing with difficulties during his upbringing.
She said alcohol misuse was behind his offending and argued that he had been candid about his behaviour after being stopped.
“He accepted that he had stupidly got into that vehicle and it was a significant lapse in his judgement,” she said.
The defence asked the court to consider suspending any prison sentence to allow Hussain an opportunity to address his alcohol misuse and demonstrate that he could leave his offending behind.
‘You Prioritised Getting Home Over The Safety Of Everyone Else’
His Honour Judge Ahmed Nadim rejected the request and imposed an immediate custodial sentence.
The judge said Hussain had been drinking with a friend in Bradford before consciously deciding to drive home.
“You made a deliberate decision to drive after drinking as it suited your convenience,” he told him.
“You prioritised getting home over the safety of everyone else on the road.”
Judge Nadim also highlighted Hussain’s previous conviction for drink-driving and the danger created by his decision to flee police.
“You chose after drinking and with previous convictions for drink-driving to turn a motor car into a source of serious danger on the public roads,” he said.
Hussain was sentenced to 13 months in prison for dangerous driving and two months for driving over the alcohol limit, with the sentences to run concurrently.
He was also disqualified from driving for three years and seven months and will be required to pass an extended driving test before he can legally drive again.