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National
Kristy Dawson

Danger driver who took police on 'disgraceful' high-speed chase through Whitley Bay put behind bars

A danger driver who took police on a "disgraceful" high-speed chase through Whitley Bay has been put behind bars.

Mohammed Ali drove through red traffic lights, the wrong way around two roundabouts and overtook another motorist by going over the central reservation.

The 49-year-old travelled at double the speed limit before getting out of the car and trying to run away from officers.

Read more: The despicable North East criminals jailed in May including killer of seven-year-old girl

Newcastle Crown Court heard how two police officers attended Cambridge Avenue in the town after receiving a report of a burglary.

Matthew Simpson, prosecuting, said they saw a Skoda car in the street with lights on. The vehicle was being driven by Ali and he had a male passenger with him.

He said Ali reversed towards the end of the alleyway and the police activated their blue flashing lights.

Mr Simpson said: "One officer got out of the vehicle and walked towards the passenger, who has got out of the Skoda on foot."

The prosecutor told the court how the officer indicated his presence to Ali by banging on the bonnet of the car. He said: "Mr Ali takes off from the scene at speed."

The court in Newcastle heard how Ali drove through approximately three red lights and travelled at around 60mph on a 30mph road towards Cullercoats.

He then went the wrong way around the roundabout to John Street and travelled at 70mph on Grand Parade.

The pursuit, which occurred shortly after 11pm on on January 5 this year, did not come to an end until Ali drove across Fox Hunters playing field and got out of the vehicle.

He attempted to make off on foot but was arrested.

Ali, of Whittington Gove, Fenham, Newcastle, pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, driving whilst disqualified and driving without insurance. The court heard how he was in breach of a suspended prison sentence.

Glenn Gatland, defending, told the court that no collisions occurred as a result of Ali's driving. He said: "He said he panicked, he was in breach of a suspended sentence."

He said Ali had been remanded in custody since January 7 and had served almost five months on remand.

Mr Gatland said Ali needed to look after his 86-year-old father, who has dementia, as his brother had sustained a broken back during a car crash and his sister suffered from arthritis.

He added: "He tells me he's intent on looking after his father. I ask you to keep the sentence as short as possible."

Recorder Toby Hedworth KC described Ali's driving as "disgraceful, appalling and quite obviously dangerous". He told him: "This was a dreadful bit of driving."

He sentenced him to 23 months in prison and banned him from driving for three years. He will have to take an extended driving test before he is allowed back on the roads.

The judge added: "The public need to understand that I'm constrained by the offence. Dangerous driving has a maximum sentence of two years in prison."

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