A panicked drug-driver was rugby-tackled to the ground as he tried to run from police who had pulled him over on a Newcastle street. Martyn Rootes was stopped by officers in an unmarked car on a road in Walker as they suspected his vehicle was linked to a wanted man.
Arrest and drug test
The court heard that the 46-year-old immediately got out and tried to run from the scene on foot, however, he was detained a short time later. Rootes, of Caroline Gardens, in Wallsend, was arrested after failing a roadside drugs swipe and it was later proved he was over the limit for cannabis and amphetamine.
Prosecutor Chike Anieto said police pulled Rootes over on Middle Street on January 30 this year. Mr Anieto added: "At this point, police suspected that his vehicle was linked to a wanted individual. The defendant alighted and ran away from officers. They gave chase and arrested him."
Court appearance and sentence
Rootes, who cares full time for his elderly parents, has now been fined £300 and banned from the roads for 17 months after he pleaded guilty to two counts of driving over the specified drug limit during a hearing at Newcastle Magistrates' Court.
Following his arrest, there were concerns about his behaviour and officers thought he might be under the influence of drugs and requested him to provide a roadside sample, which the defendant complied with. The court heard that Rootes had 25 offences on his record and was last in the dock in 2023.
Defence explanation
Mark Styles, defending, said Rootes accepted having cannabis in his system but "had no explanation" as to why there was also amphetamine there. Mr Styles added: "He did run a short distance away from the officers as they were in an unmarked car. He was followed for a significant period of time before two males, who are the officers, in black clothing pull him over and run after him. He was then rugby-tackled to the ground and arrested. He accepts they were shouting at him but he did think something amiss was going on."
As well as the fine and ban, Rootes must pay £85 costs and an £80 victim surcharge.
