A dangerous police chase in Newcastle concluded when a reckless driver sped down a dead-end road and rolled his car into a wall. Bradley Fraser, a convicted attempted rapist, ignored red lights and reached speeds of 60 mph in 30 mph zones as he attempted to evade officers in Newcastle's West End.
The 26-year-old drove his Peugeot 2008 into a small, no-through road in Elswick, where the vehicle rolled into a wall. Despite the crash, Fraser and his passenger fled on foot, but an out-of-breath Fraser was soon captured nearby, according to prosecutors.
At Newcastle Magistrates' Court, Fraser pleaded guilty to dangerous driving and received a 26-week prison sentence, suspended for 18 months. He was also banned from driving for two years and ordered to pay £85 in costs and a £187 victim surcharge.
Prosecutor Glenda Beck detailed the events of December 18 last year, when police subtly followed Fraser before attempting to pull him over. The vehicle sped off, triggering a pursuit. Officers activated lights and sirens, but Fraser drove through a red light and reached high speeds in residential areas, showing no regard for other road users or pedestrians.
Fraser has a history of convictions, including violence, attempted rape, and burglary. Defence lawyer Jack Lovell stated that Fraser suffers from mental health issues, learning difficulties, and past substance misuse. Lovell explained that Fraser panicked when he saw police and the car was a mobility vehicle. He added that Fraser accepts full responsibility and recognizes his actions were foolish and dangerous.
District Judge Kate Meek remarked that the driving was rightly described as dangerous, posing risks to both Fraser and other road users.
