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Leeds Live
Leeds Live
National
Stephanie Finnegan

Unlicensed driver led police on 70mph chase on A64 in Leeds before ramming their car

An unlicensed driver who led police on a chase in Leeds before ramming their car has been jailed.

Thomas Chalders reached speeds of up to 70mph on the A64 York Road when he led police on a chase on December 12 in 2017.

The 29-year-old was jailed for 10 months on Monday, August 19 by a judge who asked the Crown Prosecution Service to explain why he had not been charged with a further offence.

Anthony Moore, prosecuting, said the pursuit started after Chalders failed to stop for police on Ivy Street in east Leeds, just after 9am.

Chalders, of Green Lane, Cross Gates, Leeds, drove the wrong way on the A64 York Road, went through red lights, drove over a roundabout and collided with several vehicles and traffic bollards.

The chase, which happened during morning rush hour traffic, ended when the officers' car crashed into the Seat Leon.

Leeds Crown Court heard Chalders rammed the police car head on at speed before driving off along St Alban's Approach, where he drove over a mini roundabout.

He was attempting to drive the wrong way onto the A64 when the police car rammed the Leon.

The collision caused the police car to hit a set of traffic lights.

One of the two officers involved in the pursuit suffered rib, knee and back injuries.

Thousands of pounds worth of damage was caused to the police car.

He pleaded guilty to dangerous driving.

Chalders, whose partner is due to give birth soon, told a probation officer he had borrowed the car from a friend to see a family member and did not have a driving licence or insurance.

Judge Geoffrey Marson QC said to the prosecutor: "I want a written explanation from the prosecution as to why there was no charge for driving without insurance."

Imran Khan, mitigating, said: "He says he simply panicked and reacted badly. He is very sorry."

Sentencing, the judge told Chalders: "This is the worst piece of dangerous driving I have ever dealt with...It is a miracle nobody was seriously injured."

He was also disqualified from driving for three years.    

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