A 26-YEAR-OLD man has appeared in court charged with a string of offences following a police chase on Tuesday afternoon.

Nicholas Alexander Hazel appeared at Newton Aycliffe Magistrates’ Court yesterday charged with failing to stop, dangerous driving, driving under the influence of drugs, possession of a controlled drug, criminal damage and controlling and coercive behaviour.

The offences date from October 2018 to June 2019.

The court heard how Mr Hazel was arrested after police brought the dark grey Vauxhall Insignia he was driving to a stop following a pursuit in Newton Aycliffe on the afternoon of Tuesday, June 11.

He indicated no pleas and the case will be heard at Durham Crown Court on Thursday, July 11.

Ben Clish, who represented Mr Hazel, of Riverside, South Church, applied for bail on his behalf.

Magistrates at Newton Aycliffe granted bail on the condition that Mr Hazel does not enter Bishop Auckland or attempt to contact the alleged victims involved in the case.

The conditional bail was appealed by the Crown Prosecution Service and Mr Hazel was remanded pending a decision from Durham Crown Court.