A former high-flying business director led police on a high speed chase while high on drugs.
Michael Heath, who was in a senior role with Samsung UK, went off the rails after having a breakdown due to his job, a court heard. He was spotted smoking a bong in his car in Newcastle city centre then tried to flee from officers, sparking a pursuit.
Newcastle Crown Court heard it was only brought to an end when police used a stinger device on his Mini and he was found to be more than three times the driving limit for cocaine.
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It was around 2.30am on May 28 this year that plain clothes officers saw Heath's car parked across three bays on Skinnerburn Road, under the Redheugh Bridge. Omar Ahmad, prosecuting, said: "The defendant was in it and he was holding a bong and smoking from it. He was seen to leave the car coughing.
"He went to try to shut the door when he saw the officers and a PC grabbed the driver's door and kept it open. They asked if he had been smoking drugs and he said 'no, no, no'."
Heath, 42, of Forest Gate, Forest Hall, North Tyneside, then sped off, sparking a chase. When another officer approached his car at a junction after trying to block him with a van and told him he said 'no, no, what do you want, who are you'.
He ended up at Brunton Lane and then came to a halt on Coach Lane, near Hazlerigg, after police used a stinger. He struggled with officers and had to be taken to the ground.
The bong was found on the back seat and cocaine was discovered in the arm rest. A memory card contained footage appearing to show him driving dangerously previously, including doing 85mph in a 30 zone and racing a motorbike. He failed to respond to a request to identify the driver but that part of the case was sent back to the magistrates' court.
Heath, 42, who has no previous convictions and had no points on his licence, pleaded guilty to dangerous driving and drug driving. Recorder Bryan Cox KC imposed a two year community order with a six month curfew between 7pm and 6am and an 18 month driving ban.
The judge said: "Courts always regard dangerous driving like this very seriously because of the danger it poses to innocent members of the public. I appreciate your personal difficulties no doubt played a part but it's important that they are addressed so there's no recurrence."
Kelly Sharif, defending, said: "This was a man who had a high profile career as a business director for Samsung UK and Northern Ireland. Unfortunately he suffered a mental breakdown as a result of that job.
"He has been diagnosed with psychosis and a delusional disorder. He is really suffering with his mental health.
"He wants to be a dog groomer and has got an apprenticeship for that."
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