Banned driver caught 15 times previously mounted pavement in Wakefield to escape police
A pedestrian was stood at a bus stop nearby
A prolific motoring offender drove along a pavement where a pedestrian was waiting at a bus stop as he frantically tried to get away from police at high speed.
Derrick Anderson was jailed at Leeds Crown Court this week, having been caught illegally behind the wheel a staggering 15 times previously.
The judge, Recorder Mark Ainsworth, told the 41-year-old: “The courts have to, at some point, say it’s got to be imprisonment.”
Looking at Anderson’s record, he added: “There is no realistic prospect of rehabilitation.
“You have the most appalling record for driving offences going back 30 years nearly.”
Patrolling police had been warned of a potential disqualified driver in a Kia Sportage on the afternoon of March 19.
They came across Anderson behind the wheel of the Kia and ordered him to stop, but he then took off at speed.
Reaching up to 70mph in 30mph zones, the chase took place around the Ackworth, Fitzwilliam and Kinsley areas.
At one point he mounted the pavement just yards from where a person was waiting for a bus.
Oncoming vehicles had to swerve or stop to avoid colliding with the Kia which was overtaking and on the wrong side of the road.
Watchguard footage from the chasing police car was played to the court.
Prosecutor Hollie Allcock said Anderson has 14 previous convictions for driving while banned and one of dangerous driving.
For his latest offences, he admitted dangerous driving, driving while banned and failing to surrender to custody.
He appeared in court over a video link from HMP Leeds, having been held on remand for previously failing to show up for court.
A probation report found that Anderson, of Kinsley House Crescent, Fitzwilliam, has health problems, having undergone heart surgery in 2019.
He also had lung issues. Remaining unemployed, he was also a heroin addict but now takes the opiate medication, Subutex.
Recorder Ainsworth described Anderson’s driving as “deplorable” and jailed him for 12 months.
He was given a new two-year driving ban and must take an extended re-test to get his licence back.