A teenager drove the wrong way down a slip road after breaking into a family home in Tyneside. Mohammed Syeed Ali, 19, let himself into a property while the occupants and their two-year-old child were asleep upstairs.
Newcastle Crown Court heard that Ali took the keys to a Seat Arona from the address and left the area with another male. A neighbour heard the car leave and contacted the police.
Neil Pallister, prosecuting, said officers followed the Seat but called off the pursuit when it travelled the wrong way down a slip road at the Coast Road. He stated: 'For safety reasons police couldn't pursue the vehicle.'
The prosecutor added that the vehicle continued in the wrong direction and was driven the wrong way around a roundabout. Police then decided to make a tactical stop and rammed the vehicle in the early hours of April 24 this year.
Mr Pallister said: 'Two males got out and ran off. Officers ran after the driver, the defendant. He was detained. The passenger hasn't been detained as of yet.'
Ali, of Ninth Avenue, Heaton, Newcastle, pleaded guilty to burglary, dangerous driving, using a vehicle without insurance, vehicle interference, and driving while disqualified. He appeared for sentencing via video link from Durham prison.
The court heard that Ali, who was placed into care at age five, had recently become a father and wanted to turn his life around. Jamie Adams, defending, said it was a 'vital stage in his life.'
He added: 'He speaks very clearly about the hurt he's done to others, particularly in these offences. He doesn't want to be like that anymore. He wants to set a good example to his son.'
Recorder Mark Giuliani told Ali: 'Breaking into the home of a family is a horrendous breach of the family's home - somewhere they feel safe and secure. Children, in particular, find burglary extremely distressing. You are just a father, you will understand the distress this will cause.'
He continued: 'Whilst in there, the key to a car was taken and you then drove their car. You drove at speeds of up to 67mph in a 30mph zone. You then went to the Coast Road where it's 50mph or the national speed limit. You then drove the wrong direction down a slip road.'
The Recorder noted that police were so concerned about safety they conducted a tactical stop. He said: 'It's highly dangerous to go the wrong way down the slip road. You were very fortunate that you did not lose your life or kill anyone else in that highly dangerous manoeuvre.'
Recorder Giuliani decided to give Ali an opportunity to prove he wanted to change and sentenced him to 21 months in prison, suspended for 24 months. He disqualified Ali from driving for three years and ordered him to pass an extended driving test before driving again.
Ali was also ordered to complete 300 hours of unpaid work, 30 rehabilitation activity requirement days, and a 16-week Building Choices programme. The Recorder told him: 'This is the one opportunity you have to be a positive contributor to society.'
