A 44-year-old man has appeared before Newcastle Crown Court on drink driving charges after he led police on a high-speed chase in the early hours of the morning.
South Shields police suspected the man of driving while under the influence, the court heard, however when they attempted to pull him over he sped off, mounting kerbs and speeding at up to 70mph in residential areas, finally ending when the car crashed into railings.
Even then, the man attempted to drive off, only capitulating when police threatened him with a Taser.
Prosecuting, Kate Barnes said that the police received a report at 1.25am of two people getting into a car after they had been drinking.
“Police were on River Drive when the suspected vehicle drove past, the police followed the vehicle, which was travelling at 50mph in a 30mph zone,” she said.
The defendant was in the vehicle with a female passenger and was seen crossing a roundabout before mounting a kerb. It “suddenly stopped”, and then officers could hear attempts to restart the engine.
Ms Barnes continued: “Police drove alongside the vehicle and the defendant waved at the officer to approach. However, he then started the engine and accelerated away. The police made after the defendant and activated the blue lights.”
As the man sped through residential streets, still mounting kerbs and travelling at up to 70mph “The police reduced their speed,” said the prosecutor.
“But as the defendant drove up to a right-hand bend, he lost control due to the high speed and smashed into railings, spinning the car 180 degrees.”
As police approached the written-off vehicle, the defendant appeared “heavily intoxicated” and said ‘I’m sorry’, before attempting to start the engine again.
He was then threatened with a Taser, arrested, and taken to hospital. Officers then took the defendant to Southwick police station where he failed to provide a specimen and instead “blew raspberries”.
In mitigation, Jessica Slaughter told the court that her man was of good character with no previous convictions and with an “excellent work ethic”.
She explained that her client had suffered the loss of his father, redundancy, and the breakdown of his relationship, leading him down a different path. He had also lost his home in the weeks before the incident and had been forced to stay with friends.
Ms Slaughter added that there was a “realistic prospect of rehabilitation”, and that the defendant cared for his disabled mother.
After pleading guilty to drink driving, Judge Edward Bindloss accepted that the incident was “out of character” and that he had shown “embarrassment and remorse”.
He was sentenced to eight months in prison, suspended for 18 months, and must undertake a 50-day rehabilitation activity requirement. He must also complete 100 hours of unpaid work and was banned from driving for 24 months, after which he must complete an extended re-test.
