A BRADFORD man who burgled an occupied home on his 22nd birthday is beginning a jail sentence of more than three years.

Raheel Khan and two others travelled from the city in a VW Polo in the dead of night armed with screwdrivers, mole-grips, false number plates and a balaclava and targeted the property on Halifax Road in Todmorden at about 5am - while the householder was still asleep in bed.

After breaking into the home the gang stole keys to a VW Golf and a VW Sirocco which were parked outside and all three cars were driven away in convoy at speed.

Bradford Crown Court heard today that Khan, who was still on prison licence for a jail sentence imposed for drug dealing offences, was driving the VW Golf and when a police pursuit began the cars reached speeds of about 100mph in wet conditions.

Prosecutor Andrew Horton said the cars also ran two red lights during the pursuit which lasted about nine minutes.

In the Halifax area, police officers were able to deploy a “stinger” device and the VW Polo and the VW Golf drove over it.

Mr Horton said the VW Polo stopped, but Khan continued to drive on in the VW Golf before it was dumped and he was arrested nearby.

The man whose home was burgled said in his statement that he worked hard and it was “disgusting” that people could think they could break in and steal his property.

The court heard that back in January 2022 Khan, of Welbury Drive, Bradford, had been jailed for three years for drugs offending and he was still on prison licence when he committed the burglary last month.

Khan pleaded guilty on Monday to charges of burglary, dangerous driving, theft of motor vehicles and driving without insurance.

Barrister Shufqat Khan, for Khan, said he was still a relatively young man, but he knew that a sentence of immediate custody would be passed.

He said his client had met up with acquaintances who suggested he come along and he had got involved in something he shouldn’t have.

Mr Khan said the defendant wanted to apologise through him to the victim for any hurt or distress caused.

Jailing Khan for a total of 46 months Recorder Simon Kealey KC said the stolen cars had been of high value and the householder had been asleep at the time.

“In my judgement there was a significant degree of planning and organisation in this case,” the judge told Khan.

But he said the dangerous driving matter had been a separate and distinct offence involving prolonged, persistent and highly dangerous driving.

The judge sentenced Khan to three years in jail for the burglary with an additional 10 months in prison for the dangerous driving.

Khan was also banned from driving for 35 months and he must also take an extended re-test.