Suspect apprehended, charged and sent to court in just 24 hours

A dangerous driver who crashed a stolen car and attempted to run away from pursuing officers found himself arrested, charged and escorted to court within 24 hours.

Police were made aware of a black Mitsubishi Colt that was stolen from outside an address in Ryton in the early hours of Monday morning.

Officers from the Motor Patrol department spotted a vehicle matching the description while enquiries into the theft were ongoing into the theft.

Police spotted the car travelling in the North Shields area on Tuesday night.

They followed the Mitsubishi Colt but the occupant refused to pull over, instead hitting the accelerator, trying to reverse ram the police car before later colliding with a bollard in the Waterville Road area.

The driver then made off on foot but officers quickly caught up to and detained the man.

A 23-year-old has since been charged with a string of offences including dangerous driving and was escorted to court on Wednesday.

Chief Inspector Ian Cutty, of Northumbria Police, said: “To arrest, charge and have a suspect appear in court all within 24 hours is an excellent outcome and that is testament to the work of not only our officers, but all our criminal justice partners.

“This was a potentially dangerous incident that saw officers led on a pursuit by a driver who showed little desire to pull over and hand himself in.

“But some outstanding work by our Motor Patrols officers, supported by our Dog Section and the National Police Air Service (NPAS) helicopter meant this fast-moving incident was brought to a swift and safe conclusion.

“Once the Mitsubishi came to an abrupt stop after hitting a bollard, the driver still tried his luck on foot – so it was a case of good old-fashioned policing as officers caught up with the suspect and put him in handcuffs.

“We will continue to use every tactic at our disposal to protect all our road users and ensure any perpetrators are brought to justice.”

The 23-year-old pleaded guilty before magistrates in North Tyneside on Wednesday to dangerous driving, driving whilst disqualified, no insurance use and failing to provide specimen.

He has been remanded in custody until his Newcastle Crown Court date for sentencing on June 16.