Two masked teenagers who took part in a spate of house burglaries in Newcastle and then filmed themselves leading police on a dangerous pursuit in a stolen car have been given suspended prison sentences.
Christopher Scott, 19, and Harvey Kirby, 18, were part of a gang of five who targeted homes in the Jesmond area in a single night. The pair attempted to enter four properties and managed to get inside three, stealing a mini fridge and alcohol. At the final house, they took a watch, a coat and car keys before making off with the victim's Audi A6.
Police pursuit reached 80mph in 30mph zones
Newcastle Crown Court heard that police spotted the vehicle in the Byker area shortly afterwards. The gang then led officers on a dangerous pursuit, during which they filmed themselves reaching speeds of up to 80mph in 30mph residential areas. They also drove the wrong way around roundabouts before abandoning the damaged car and fleeing on foot.
Scott, of Clarence House, Shieldfield, and Kirby, of Raby Street, Byker, were detained along with the rest of the group, and the stolen watch was recovered. Both pleaded guilty to five counts of attempted burglary, three burglaries and aggravated vehicle taking. Scott also admitted three further attempted burglaries, one burglary, theft of a motor vehicle and handling stolen goods in relation to another incident.
Burglaries captured on doorbell cameras
Prosecutor Glenn Gatland said the men targeted homes on Reid Park Road, Queens Terrace and Grosvenor Avenue, all in Jesmond, on January 17 2025. He said: "It took place in the early hours of the morning on January 17 2025. All involved seemed to have equipped themselves with balaclavas and other items. There was a total of five offenders."
The court heard the group were captured on CCTV or ring doorbell footage trying front doors and, on one occasion, entering a shed in a back garden. At one point, they entered a porch but could not get past a second locked door. They did steal a mini fridge and alcohol from a garage, and gained entry to a home on Grosvenor Avenue, where they took a watch, coat and car key before driving off in the Audi.
Mr Gatland added: "Having stolen the Audi, the defendants drove it dangerously. It was seen driving towards Byker Bank. There was a police chase. Officers activated their lights and sirens and pursued the vehicle from Albion Road. The Audi travelled the wrong way around a roundabout. It reached 56mph in a 30mph zone."
The pursuit continued along Walker Road, where the vehicle reached 70mph in a 30mph zone. Other road users were present. The car then reached 80mph in a 30mph area and went the wrong way around another roundabout until police lost sight of it on Pottery Bank.
Later that day, the damaged Audi was found parked on Church Street, where officers were told some youths had run off down Hadrian's Way footpath. They were later detained. Mr Gatland said one defendant's phone was seized and contained videos of the pursuit, including a clip where one defendant said: "We should have gone back for the peeve and the fridge."
Second spate of burglaries in South Gosforth
Police could not identify who was driving during the chase. Scott's other offences happened between June 7 and 9 2025, when he and others were again caught on CCTV or ring doorbell footage trying front doors of homes on High Laws, Donnington Court and Daylesford Drive, all in South Gosforth. The group stole paperwork and loose change from a car and managed to get into a home on Daylesford Drive.
Mr Gatland said: "The victim went downstairs and saw several items in the living room had been moved. The keys in her front door had been moved. A Montblanc wallet had been stolen." The group also stole a Lexus and filmed themselves driving it. Scott was also caught with a £20,000 Jaguar that had been stolen during a burglary.
Victims of both spates reported feeling "violated" and "afraid". One, an NHS doctor, said in a statement: "Since the burglary in the early hours of June 9, I no longer feel safe in my own home. I struggle to sleep and wake frequently at the slightest noise, fearing someone is trying to get in." Another victim said: "This incident left me feeling violated and uncomfortable in my own home. The impact this has had on my family is great as my children are afraid of these males returning to our home. I feel my privacy has been invaded."
Suspended sentences for both men
Lee Fish, defending Scott, said he was capable of being rehabilitated in the community, had stayed out of trouble for 12 months and had made steps to better his life. Mr Fish added: "There is ample evidence of immaturity. He's vulnerable to exploitation having been brought up surrounded by drugs and violence. He's had very little stability in his life and that has taken its toll."
Jason Smith, defending Kirby, said he had also stayed out of trouble, completed a course in construction and had "disengaged" with his former peers. Mr Smith told the court: "He expresses suitable remorse for these offences and is beginning to acknowledge the serious nature of the offending."
Recorder Jamie Hill KC gave Scott a two-year prison sentence, suspended for two years, and ordered him to do 200 hours of unpaid work. Kirby was given a 15-month prison sentence, suspended for two years, and must complete 150 hours of unpaid work.
Speaking about the Jesmond burglaries, the judge said: "You were part of a group of five who, in a short period of time, committed five attempted burglaries and three burglaries and, in the final burglary, you obtained, no doubt the vein of these offences, an Audi and drove it dangerously." Recorder Hill said both men "richly" deserved prison but took into account their young age, their 12 months without trouble and their steps to improve their lives.
