A teenager drove more than 100mph in a 40mph zone while attempting to flee from police on Tyneside. Alfie Ford, 19, was spotted by officers driving a black Vauxhall Corsa on Hedworth Lane in Jarrow.
Newcastle Crown Court heard how the 19-year-old sped off, driving on the wrong side of the road. He was recorded driving at 85mph in a 30mph zone and 104mph in a 40mph zone.
Reckless Driving Details
Matthew Hopkins, prosecuting, said Ford went through two red lights and was travelling at 80-90mph while overtaking vehicles. He also drove over a zebra crossing at 85mph when pedestrians were nearby.
The court heard that police aborted the chase due to the dangerous nature of his driving. However, another officer in a different vehicle spotted the car and followed it. Ford then drove into the police car, causing damage, before colliding with a stationary van. Ford and another person ran from the car, and he was arrested nearby.
Court Proceedings
The police chase, which occurred on June 26 last year, lasted between six and seven minutes. Ford, of Heddon Way, South Shields, South Tyneside, admitted dangerous driving.
Recorder Mark McKone KC said: "In some ways this driving is as bad as it could have been. I have got to give the defendant some discount for his age, good character and guilty plea." He told Robin Turton, defending, that he would give Ford, who had no previous convictions, one chance and hand him a suspended prison sentence. Mr Turton said he would not progress with his mitigation.
Recorder McKone told Ford: "Dangerous drivers like you kill people and it's usually the passenger that gets killed. If you killed someone in this case and been sentenced for death by dangerous driving the starting point could have been about 14 years in principle. You need to bear that in mind."
Sentence
Ford was sentenced to 15 months in a young offenders institution suspended for two years and banned from driving for two years. He must take an extended driving test before he can get behind the wheel again.
