High-speed chase leads to Dewsbury Hospital

Halifax road entrance to Dewsbury and District Hospital.

A man put the lives of patients and visitors at risk as he sped through a hospital car par, a court heard.

James Ramsden was tailed by police after he was spotted speeding on the A62 Leeds Road from Birstall just before 2am on April 19.

The 27-year-old broke the speed limit, drove on the wrong side of the road and ignored red traffic lights before driving into the grounds of Dewsbury and District Hospital. A police helicopter was called to help officers catch him after he abandoned his Skoda Octavia.

Ramsden, of Quarry View, Dewsbury, was caught a short distance from the grounds.

Vanessa Schofield, prosecuting, told Huddersfield Magistrates Court: “There were a number of vehicles and people around at the time. He was a danger to the public.”

Ramsden admitted charges of dangerous driving, driving while disqualified and using a vehicle without insurance last Friday.

Magistrates heard that he committed the offences while on prison licence.

In September 2011 he received a prison sentence following a dangerous driving conviction.

Ramsden was remanded until May 24 when he will be committed to crown court for sentence.