A drunken Amazon delivery driver sparked a dangerous police chase after being caught over the limit at McDonald's - then did a similar thing weeks later while banned and on bail.
Police were called to the drive through of the fast foot outlet in South Shields after concerns Corey Gray was over the limit in his work van. He tried to get away from the chasing police car, driving at speed and dangerously with just one hand on the wheel for most of the pursuit.
Newcastle Crown Court heard he was then spotted driving a car by the same sergeant who had arrested him the first time, after he had appeared in court and been given an interim disqualification while his case progressed through the system. He again failed to stop and sparked a chase then refused to give a breath test when collared.
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Now the 23-year-old, of Canterbury Street, South Shields, has been given a suspended prison sentence after he admitted two counts of dangerous driving, excess alcohol, failing to provide a specimen, driving while disqualified and no insurance.
The court heard it was on November 11 last year around 10.40pm that Gray went to McDonald's in a Peugeot van which he used in the course of his job delivering items for Amazon. Police arrived quickly after being alerted to the possibility of a drink driver.
Gray drove off, doing 50mph in a 30 zone then 80 to 90mph on the A19. During the course of the pursuit, he went round central reservation bollards the wrong way. He eventually stopped and got out and was found to be around twice the drink drive limit.
Paul Reid, prosecuting, said: "When interviewed he said he'd had a couple of cans and went to get food. He said it was a 'moment of madness' and he just didn't care and realised he was not going to get away which is why he stopped."
Gray appeared in court for that matter and was given an interim driving ban. In January this year. A judge adjourned the case for pre-sentence reports to be compiled. But then on February 24 at 1.45am, Gray was spotted by the same sergeant who arrested him the first time, driving a Ford Focus at speed in South Shields.
Mr Reid said: "He braked sharply when he saw the police, hesitated then drove off, trying to conceal his face. The police officer gave chase and the car accelerated away, up to 60mph in a 30 zone."
Gray lost then regained control of the car, went through a red light at 60mph and mounted a kerb before stopping and trying to run off but was caught. Mr Reid told the court: "He lay down and said 'I'm sorry I'm banned'. The sergeant recognised him and he was clearly drunk.
"There were dozens of cans of lager in the car, some opened and some not opened. He refused to be breathalysed and said he had not had a drink but he was clearly extremely drunk."
Judge Stephen Earl sentenced Gray to 12 months suspended for two years with a six month curfew, driving ban and alcohol treatment requirement.
Jessica Slaughter, defending, said: "There was no damage, no collision and no injury. Fortunately, they were not busy roads." Miss Slaughter added that Gray had just received bad news about his grandma before the first offence and the second one happened on the day of his auntie's funeral as he made the "foolish decision" to drive to Durham to pick up a suit.
She said he had a drink problem but had not drunk immediately before driving on that occasion, although he was under the influence. Miss Slaughter said Gray had never been in trouble with the police before and added: "His mental health is fragile and he feels incredibly remorseful."
The court heard he lost his job with Amazon and hopes to gain employment with Nissan.
