Banned driver high on cocaine led police on dangerous pursuit

as the car was still moving, leaving his girlfriend behind.

Mr Ritchie said Hurley ran off and hid in some bushes but was found and arrested. He was tested for alcohol, which proved negative, but because of his condition he was later tested for drugs and a blood test was positive for cocaine.

The court heard he was banned from driving for six months in March this year, under the totting up provisions, for having no insurance following an earlier offence of being in charge of a vehicle with excess alcohol.

Anastasis Tassou told the court for Hurley: “His pregnant girlfriend thankfully was not injured in any way due to his stupid and reckless actions, nor was anybody else.”

“He now has a six-week-old child who is fit and healthy.” He took responsibility for his actions which had also cost him a job. “He knows he is the master of his own misfortune.”

Hurley, 30 of Chidswell Gardens, Dewsbury, admitted dangerous driving, driving while disqualified and with cocaine over the prescribed limit.

Jailing him for a total of 15 months and disqualifying him for three years after his release Judge Geoffrey Marson QC said it was a blessing no one was seriously injured.

“You drove like a lunatic with your pregnant girlfriend in the car and then left the vehicle while it was still moving.”