Van driver fled from police at speed, Leicester Crown Court told

A van driver was chased by police as he sped through the city, ignored red traffic lights and drove the wrong way up a one-way street.

Dorin Sokoli was travelling at 50mph in 30mph residential streets in Evington and separately caused two cars to swerve.

Sokoli, an Albanian illegal immigrant, admitted at Leicester Crown Court to dangerous driving, failing to stop when required by the police and having no insurance.

He was sentenced to a two-year community order, with 100 hours of unpaid work, and banned from driving for 12 months.

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The court was told the pursuit began at 8am on July 27 after officers became suspicious on seeing the defendant driving a van with car trade registration plates.

Sokoli (28), of Steins Lane, Humberstone, Leicester, ignored the police siren and blue flashing lights.

He travelled from Evington to London Road and then back to Evington, said John Hallissey, prosecuting.

After turning into a cul-de-sac, Sokoli and a male passenger jumped out of the van as it was still moving, before it hit a fence.

An officer detained Sokoli and handcuffed him after a brief struggle.

Sokoli, who was running a car wash business in Leicester, initially gave a false name and claimed he was Greek.

He said he was returning the van to a customer and panicked when the police tried to stop him as he had no insurance.

Donal Lawler, mitigating, said: "He's not a Greek national, he's Albanian. He didn't stop because of insurance.

"He feared his immigration status would be uncovered and he would be returned to Albania.

"He left there because of a blood feud. His father was in a dispute and his father died.

"It continues from generation to generation and he fears what will happen if he returns to his village.

"He didn't come here legally and has no legitimate right to remain.

"He's been living a blameless life working hard to support himself and his mother and sister in Albania.

"He runs a car wash with other members of his family."

Recorder Martine Kushner said: "It's questionable whether you will serve the sentence because you're being detained (by the immigration authorities) and may be deported.

"This was dangerous driving with aggravating circumstances."