Mohammad Ali, 38, has avoided jail despite leading police on a high-speed chase through Newcastle's West End at speeds of up to 100mph. He was sentenced at Newcastle Crown Court today after being convicted of two dangerous driving offences.
Chase Begins in Early Hours
The incident occurred on March 18 this year. At around 1am, PCs Matthews and Warburton spotted Ali driving his Volkswagen Golf GTD dangerously close to another vehicle. When Ali saw the police car, he braked heavily. The officers activated their blue lights, and Ali slowed to 15mph, appearing to pull over, but he failed to stop when a space became available.
Seventeen minutes later, a second police car, driven by PC Leslie, followed Ali in the West Road area with blue lights and sirens on. Ali drove on St John's Road, where the speed limit is 30mph, and later went through a red light on Scotswood Road. Officers had to drive at twice the 50mph limit to keep up. They lost sight of him at the Scotswood Bridge roundabout.
Continued Pursuit on A1
At 1.41am, PC Leslie again joined the pursuit, confirming Ali drove through two more red lights on the Scotswood Road roundabout and onto the slip road for the A1 northbound. PC Tate took over as pursuit commander at 1.42am and described Ali's driving as dangerous. Ali lost control on the roundabout, hitting the nearside kerb, but continued at speed despite damage to his wheels. On the A1, he weaved between lanes at around 70mph.
Officers attempted to box him in, but Ali tried to swerve around the police car in front. He lost control, collided with the central reservation, struck PC Tate's car, and spun out.
Alcohol and Fasting
After the crash, PC Tate noticed Ali's glazed eyes and smell of alcohol. A roadside breath test gave a reading of 56 micrograms per 100ml of breath (the legal limit is 35). At the Royal Victoria Infirmary, Ali refused to provide a blood sample, claiming he was fasting and could not provide one.
Ali, of Woolerton Drive, South West Denton, initially pleaded not guilty at Newcastle Magistrates' Court on April 7 but changed his plea to guilty at Newcastle Crown Court on May 5, 2026. An interim driving disqualification was imposed that day.
Sentence
Judge Gittins sentenced Ali to 12 months in prison, suspended for 18 months, and imposed a two-year driving ban. He must pass an extended driving test to regain his licence. Additionally, Ali must complete 120 hours of unpaid work within 12 months, pay a £154 victim surcharge within 14 days, and comply with an alcohol abstinence management requirement for 90 days.
