A man who was a passenger in a stolen Audi and was ushering an acquaintance to hospital after he'd been stabbed has been dealt with at court.
Mark Brown was a backseat passenger in a car that had been taken without the owner's consent when it was seen driving dangerously on April 16, 2020. The 31-year-old and another man - who had been stabbed that morning - were picked up in the Audi A4 before witnesses saw it hitting speeds of up to 120mph.
When the occupants of the car were finally arrested, Brown was found in possession of a CS gas cannister, which he claimed to have found in a field and was keeping for protection.
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Brown, of Wallsend Road, North Shields, appeared at Newcastle Crown Court to be sentenced for possession of the cannister and allowing himself to be carried in a car that been taken without the owner's consent. He pleaded guilty to the charges at a previous hearing.
Neil Jones, prosecuting, said Brown, who was "intoxicated", was picked up by those who had taken the car and was with the "injured party" who had "suffered stab wounds that morning". He said: "The defendant was getting a lift with someone in order to secure treatment for the person who had been stabbed. He was being taken to hospital."
Mr Jones said witnesses saw the Audi driving at speeds of up to 120mph and the gas cannister was found in Brown's possession when he was arrested. The court heard he had 10 previous convictions for 12 offences and the car that he was a passenger in was eventually returned to the owner.
Tony Cornberg, defending, said Brown found the gas cannister on a field but kept it on him for protection. He said he is now receiving alcohol support and has since secured a job shop shot blasting and painting in Bristol.
Sentencing Brown, Recorder Kama Melly QC handed him an 18 month community order and ordered him to complete 45 rehabilitation activity days.
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