An asylum seeker who led police on a dangerous city centre chase in his wife's Mercedes has walked free from court.
Safe Elfike, who fled to the UK after he was left needing brain surgery by attackers who kidnapped him in Egypt, had no licence or insurance to drive the car when he was spotted behind the wheel in Newcastle. A court heard he reached 65mph in a 30 zone, drove on the wrong side of the road, drove onto a crossing at a pedestrian access point and failed to give way at a junction before making a run for it and hiding in a disabled toilet.
The 27-year-old, of The Grove, Gosforth, was tracked down and arrested and pleaded guilty to dangerous driving. He has now been given a community order at Newcastle Crown Court.
