A dangerous driver led police on a high-speed chase through Northumberland and put the lives of others at risk before finally ditching the car.
Stephen Kelly took-off from police in a Ford Mondeo when they attempted to pull him over due to safety concerns regarding his vehicle. The 25-year-old drove so fast, the pursuing officers lost him, but found him driving dangerously again hours later. Another chase began - which also involved a police helicopter - and ended when Kelly and his two passengers finally abandoned the car.
Kelly, of Katherine Street, Ashington, appeared at Newcastle Crown Court on Tuesday via link from HMP Durham to be sentenced for dangerous driving, failing to stop, and driving without insurance or a licence. He was also dealt with for failing to provide a sample and failing to attend court. He had pleaded guilty to the offences.
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Neil Jones, prosecuting, said police were on patrol in the Ashington area on April 22, 2020, when Kelly was spotted driving a black Ford Mondeo. He said: "The vehicle looked in a poor state, but as it turned, the vehicle accelerated hard and the officers activated their blue lights."
A chase then began, with Kelly shooting off down Sixth Avenue as members of the public began "gesturing" to police in an attempt to direct them to where Kelly was heading. Mr Jones said: "The police lost the vehicle on Moorhouse Lane due to its speed in a built-up area, which was going as high as 70mph at the time. They then lost it again on the A196."
The court heard that hours after the chase, Kelly was spotted by the same officers on the same road and was "taking bends at around 70mph". Mr Jones said it was "clear" to the officers that members of the public were at risk before Kelly was followed on to the A1147. A police helicopter also joined in the pursuit of Kelly, who performed a "number of dangerous manoeuvres" and was driving through the middle of cars at high speed as other road users took "evasive action".
The court was told the chase finally ended when Kelly abandoned the car at Isabella Heap in Blyth and he and his two passengers were arrested. Kelly had 10 previous convictions for 26 offences, including taking a vehicle without consent when he was a youth and aggravated vehicle taking.
Mark Styles, defending, said Kelly, who has a young daughter, has found his time in custody "very difficult" and that the experience had "brought him to his senses". He said: "It has dawned on him that this type of lifestyle, of putting his pleasure above other people's safety, really has got to come to an end. It was by luck no one was injured, or perhaps worse." Mr Styles added Kelly was "anxious to be involved in the upbringing of his daughter".
Judge Amanda Rippon said Kelly undertook "appalling driving" and said it was through "pure accident" that he did not injure or kill someone. Kelly was jailed for 16 months and was banned from driving for 43.5 months. He must also take an extended driving test if he wants a licence.
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