Leeds burglar rammed from road by police after dangerous 90mph police chase across the city in a stolen Skoda
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Lee Norton refused to stop for officers when they saw him behind the wheel of a Skoda Rapid on Woodhall Park Crescent, Stanningley, on July 11 this year.
Leeds Crown Court heard the vehicle had been stolen in the early hours of the same day from the driveway of a house in Morley after a burglary at the property.
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Hide AdAmy Levitt, prosecuting, said the pursuit was caught on a police dashcam as he sped off and reached 90mph in 40mph areas heading towards Leeds city centre.
Norton undertook vehicles at 75mph and caused other road users to take evasive action.
Ms Levitt said Norton went the wrong way up a slip road at the A621 roundabout near to Elland Road.
Police made a 'tactical connection' with the Skoda, causing the wheel to be damaged.
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Hide AdNorton was unable to continue driving and was arrested from the car.
The 26-year-old defendant was banned from driving at the time of the incident.
He told police he was not responsible for the burglary in which the car had been stolen
The court heard Norton carried out a burglary at a family home in Middleton on November 19.
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Hide AdNorton stole an iPad Pro worth £1,000, a PlayStation 4, an iPhone 7, headphones and a speaker.
He also took the keys to a Peugeot 207 parked outside which he filled with the stolen items before driving off in the vehicle.
Norton crashed the car a short time later.
Witnesses described how he got out of the vehicle and took some of the stolen goods before walking away.
Some of the stolen items were later recovered from the car.
Norton was arrested after being identified as the suspect.
Norton claimed he had been asked to drive the car for another man but then crashed it.
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Hide AdThe burglary victims provided a statement to the court describing how they felt shock at having their home burgled as they slept.
Norton, of Waincliffe Place, Beeston, pleaded guilty to burglary, theft, aggravated vehicle taking and driving while disqualified.
He has 50 previous convictions for offences including burglary and robbery.
Police launched an appeal to trace Norton on July 3 this year after he was wanted on recall to prison.
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Hide AdNorton had been released from prison on licence in June after being jailed for dangerous driving.
Stephen Welford, mitigating, said Norton pleaded guilty to the offences at an early stage.
Norton was jailed for three years and eight months.
Judge Robin Mairs told the defendant: "You had a complete and absolute disregard for the safety of any road users."