Car addict’s 90mph chase

Car salesman David Massey was caught speeding through winding roads while banned for a fourth time.

Massey, 25, of Doubting Road, Thornhill, sped off after he was spotted by police in Knowles Road, Mirfield.

He reached speeds of 70mph in Hopton Lane - which has a 30mph limit - before driving at 65mph in Huddersfield Road.

Richard Smith, prosecuting told Leeds Crown Court on Monday that Massey reached up to 90mph in Stennard Lane before he went through a red light controlling traffic on a road bridge over the River Calder.

He eventually came to a halt at a house near Hopton Hall Lane and the police officers pulled up alongside him and spotted Massey trying to swap seats with a rear seat passenger.

He was arrested and inquiries then revealed he was a disqualified driver. His record showed he had one previous conviction for dangerous driving, three for driving while disqualified and two for driving over the prescribed alcohol limit

Anastasis Tassou, mitigating, said Massey was addicted to driving.

“He lives, eats and breathes motor vehicles,” he said.

He said Massey had been keen on cars since childhood and learned to drive off road as soon as he could. “He accepts his driving fell below that of a competent driver.” When asked why he was driving, Massey said: “I’m an idiot.”

Massey admitted dangerous driving, driving while disqualified and having no insurance.

He was jailed for 15 months and disqualified from driving for three years.

Recorder Gurdial Singh told Massey it had to be immediate jail, that his driving on that day was appalling, and he was particularly fortunate that no one else drove on to the bridge when he went through the red light. His position was then aggravated by his record.

Recorded Singh said: “You simply won’t learn. You’re a danger to yourself and a danger to other road users.”