Banned driver jailed for 80mph police chase in Bradford in mobility car

Aiden Wood-Manders, 31, led police on a 35-minute chase at up to 80mph in a Motability scheme car despite being disqualified from driving.

Disqualified Bradford man jailed after 35-minute chase in Motability car

A disqualified driver who led police on a 35-minute pursuit at speeds of up to 80mph in a mobility scheme car has been sentenced to 12 months in prison, the Daily Express reports.

Aiden Wood-Manders, 31, of Bradford's Sutton council estate, drove the wrong way round mini-roundabouts, used a bus lane to skip a red light, and mounted a pavement during the chase on the night of 27 June last year. Officers eventually deployed a "stinger" device just before 10pm to deflate the tyres of the Seat Arona — worth approximately £30,000 new — before it crashed into a police car and a parked vehicle.

Wood-Manders, who had no full driving licence and was uninsured, was also subject to a three-year ban imposed in March 2024 at the time of the pursuit. He continued to resist arrest after the chase ended, and officers had to use PAVA spray to subdue him.

Prosecuting barrister Tom Harris told Bradford Crown Court that the pursuit began at around 9.25pm when traffic officers spotted the Motability car being driven at excessive speed. The vehicle initially stopped when flagged down but then accelerated away, with Wood-Manders repeatedly reaching 80mph as he attempted to evade capture.

Wood-Manders pleaded guilty in December 2025 to dangerous driving, driving while disqualified, and driving without insurance. His sentencing was delayed into 2025 to allow further medical reports to be obtained, as the court heard he suffers from mobility issues.

Defence barrister Kathryn Pitters argued that an immediate custodial sentence would be "disproportionately harsh" given her client's deteriorating physical condition, and urged the court to impose a suspended term.

Judge Ahmed Nadim rejected that submission, describing Wood-Manders' previous record for driving while banned and other motoring offences as "deplorable". The judge said the courts had repeatedly attempted to deter him through community penalties and disqualification orders, and that he had "time and again" ignored those opportunities.

"Your driving created a wholly unacceptable risk to innocent members of the public," Judge Nadim said. "It is only through good fortune that no pedestrian, motorist or passenger suffered catastrophic injury or death."

The judge said a 14-month sentence was warranted by the circumstances but reduced it to 12 months in recognition of Wood-Manders' medical condition. Wood-Manders was also handed a further two-year driving ban and must pass an extended driving test before he can legally return to the road.

Judge Nadim told Wood-Manders he hoped the time in custody would prompt reflection, adding: "It gives me no pleasure to pass the sentence that I have passed."

Motability Operations, which administers the Motability Scheme, said the lease had been terminated and a four-year sanction imposed, barring Wood-Manders from rejoining the scheme. A spokesperson added: "The Motability Scheme is a vital service for disabled people, so we take any misuse of Scheme vehicles extremely seriously. They will also be required to pay the associated costs."

Source: Daily Express