Danger driver flipped his car and damaged five vehicles in Bradford

Sirmand Ali was tracked by the police helicopter on the afternoon of July 5 last year as he tried to evade the law in his VW Passat, Bradford Crown Court heard.

Ali, 22, of Branksome Crescent, Heaton, Bradford, did 60mph in a 20 zone and overtook dangerously during the short chase that led to him smashing into a parked vehicle on Lynfield Drive.

He pleaded guilty to dangerous driving and driving when almost double the limit for cannabis.

It was shortly before 2pm when Ali sped off after being ordered to stop. He went on to crash his car, damaging five vehicles, and turning the Passat on to its roof.

The car had missing lock nuts that meant it was in a dangerous condition, the court was told.

Ali was taken to hospital where he tested almost double the legal limit for cannabis.

Vincent Blake-Barnard, Ali’s barrister, said he was a hardworking young man with no previous convictions.

He was very remorseful and only told his family about his court appearance at the last minute.

He worked for the family chicken wholesale company and held down another job in the evenings.

He was deeply ashamed of his actions that day and assessed as being at a very risk of reoffending.

Mr Blake-Barnard said Ali had passed his driving test a month before the pursuit and bought his car shortly beforehand. He acted in a moment of panic and frustration after learning of a family bereavement.

He wouldn’t be driving again for a long time and he asked the court to give him this one chance.

Recorder Simon Jackson KC said the dangerous driving was over within a minute but pointed out that ‘lives are ended in seconds.’ Ali had tried to overtake on a street of parked vehicles, lost control of the Passat and overturned it.

“It’s a miracle that no one was hurt,” the recorder stated.

Ali was sentenced to 14 months imprisonment, suspended for two years.

He must do 250 hours of unpaid work and attend 15 rehabilitation activity days with the probation service.

He was banned from driving for two years and until he passes an extended retest.

Ali was also ordered to pay £340 court costs.