In Sunderland, a driver is facing at least six months in prison after jumping red lights and zooming the wrong side of bollards on a blind bend in order to elude pursuing police.
On Saturday, April 6, Anthony Newall, 36, ground his Ford Transit van in an unsuccessful bid to evade his pursuers in and near city centre Tunstall Terrace.
Newall, of Sunderland Road in Houghton, committed the act while serving an almost eight-year driving ban after being convicted of inflicting severe injury in 2020.
He appeared in South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court and pleaded guilty to counts of hazardous driving, driving while disqualified, and driving without insurance.
District Judge Zoe Passfield remanded him in custody pending his sentencing at Newcastle Crown Court on Wednesday, May 8.
She cautioned him that the starting point for his crimes was six months in prison, but there were “many” aggravating factors.
Prosecutor Paige Sparks stated, “The defendant fled from police. He’s disqualified for causing serious injury while driving.
“He passed past two red lights and was on the wrong side of the bollards. It passed through two red lights and two bollards on the wrong side of a blind turn.
“The crown says these matters should be committed for sentencing.”
Tom Morgan, defending, told the judge: “He deserves full credit for his guilty plea. I realize you may refer this matter to the Crown Court.”
Judge Passfield acknowledged to Newall that the starting point was six months in prison, but that his most recent offenses were escalated, among other considerations.
She also issued an interim driving prohibition, stating, “You will be given credit for your guilty pleas, but you will be sentenced at the crown court.”
In 2020, a judge at Newcastle Crown Court banned Newall from driving for seven years and eight months and sentenced him to more than five years in prison.
He and another worker were left battling for their lives in a van after pinching his truck while doing deliveries in December 2019.
His victim clung on the bonnet but suffered major head injuries after being pushed off.
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