Driver was chased at 100mph around city estate

A DRIVER reached speeds of up to 100mph on a housing estate as he tried to get away from five police cars and a helicopter.

Kyle Martin, 34, was jailed for nine months after a judge told him it was a “miracle” that no one was seriously injured during the incident.

Leeds Crown Court heard Martin suddenly sped off in his Ford Focus when he spotted a police car on North Parkway, Seacroft, Leeds, in the early hours of April 24 this year.

Officers switched on their blue lights and sirens but Martin increased his speed to around 100mph.

The West Yorkshire Police helicopter and other vehicles were deployed as Martin continued to drive dangerously.

Prosecutor Carmel Pearson said Martin went through a red light on Boggart Hill Drive and went the wrong way on a roundabout on Wetherby Road.

Miss Pearson said Martin lost control of his car at one stage and went on to a grass banking but managed to continue.

He reached high speeds in built-up areas with parked cars on either side of the carriageway.

The pursuit ended after 17 minutes when an officer caused a deliberate collision to stop Martin.

Martin and his passenger ran from the car but the defendant was found hiding in a garden and was arrested.

The court heard the officers could smell cannabis on Martin and believed he had been drinking.

He refused to provide a blood or breath specimen when he was taken to a police station.

Martin, of Boggart Hill Drive, Seacroft, Leeds, pleaded guilty to dangerous driving and failing to provide a specimen.

Michael Walsh, mitigating, said Martin was unable to explain why had committed the offences.

Mr Walsh said Martin was insured to drive the car and insisted that he had not been drinking or taking drugs at the time of the incident.

Judge Geoffrey Marson, QC, said: “It is a miracle someone wasn’t seriously injured – your passenger, yourself, or a police officer.”