A MAN has admitted taking a taxi, while over the drink-drive limit, before colliding with a number of parked cars in residential streets.

The Ford Focus was commandeered with the driver still in the vehicle, and, after he was told to head to various locations round County Durham, the fearful cabbie managed to get out of the car in Newton Aycliffe and alert a nearby householder.

But as police made their way to the scene, a number of residents reported damage to parked vehicles caused as the Focus was driven erratically in several streets in the town.

Two occupants of the car were detained near the scene by police and questioned on suspicion of robbery, false imprisonment and aggravated vehicle taking.

Ryan Michael Woodley, 22, and 25-year-old Stephen Harrison were both initially charged with kidnapping the taxi driver and aggravated vehicle taking.

Both had boarded the taxi at a rank on a slip road off Claypath, in Durham, asking to be taken to Consett, shortly after midnight on July 17 last year.

But, on arrival at their “destination”, they did not get out and the driver was told to drive on to several other locations, ending in Newton Aycliffe.

Both defendants subsequently denied the kidnap charge at a hearing at Durham Crown Court in October, but Woodley admitted the aggravated vehicle taking allegation and driving with excess alcohol.

As well as denying kidnapping, Mr Harrison also pleaded not guilty to aggravated vehicle taking and driving while disqualified.

The case was adjourned for a trial, scheduled to start at the court today (January 7).

But Robin Turton, prosecuting, told the hearing the kidnap charge has, “effectively been discontinued”, while none of the other counts would be pursued against Mr Harrison.

Judge Christopher Prince, therefore, recorded formal not guilty verdicts on all charges denied by the defendants and Mr Harrison, of Holmside Avenue, Trimdon Grange, was told he was free to leave court.

But David Lamb, for Woodley, of Pearson Street, Spennymoor, said as a result of being charged over this incident he was recalled to prison to serve the outstanding period of a previous sentence and is not due to be released until August.

Mr Lamb added: “He knows custody is inevitable in this case, and he’s going nowhere, at least, until August.”

Judge Prince adjourned sentence on Woodley for aggravated vehicle taking and driving with excess alcohol until January 30, pending preparation of a background probation report.