THE driver of an unroadworthy car ignored pleas to slow down during a police pursuit before losing control and colliding with a wall, causing the death of a passenger.

Bradley Webb, who was unlicensed and uninsured, had tried to shake off a police vehicle for about eight minutes of the chase, from Carrville, on the outskirts of Durham.

But having driven the Renault Megane, bought not long before the incident for £50, at consistently high speeds, he clipped a narrow central pedestrian refuge and veered into the wall of a bungalow in Dairy Lane, Houghton-le-Spring, in the early hours of Monday August 23.

Both of his female passengers suffered serious injuries in the collision, which demolished part ofthe wall, causing a loud bang.

Newcastle Crown Court was told the front seat passenger, Paula Tiffin, 53, a family friend, died two days later in hospital from serious abdominal injuries.

The rear seat passenger, also a family friend, spent several weeks in intensive care in hospital, suffering from two punctured lungs, fractures to the lower back bone and several ribs, plus a torn aorta.

In a victim statement she described how Ms Tiffin screamed at Webb to stop during the pursuit, but he swore at her and told her to “shut up”.

Now suffering with regular flashbacks she said it has left her fearful of travelling by car, and feels that “Brad” is responsible for, “destroying my life.”

Lee Fish, prosecuting, said toxicology tests showed Webb had traces of amphetamines in his system, while examination of the Megane confirmed it was in a dangerous condition and would not have passed an MOT.

The 25-year-old defendant, of Queens Street, Hetton-le-Hole, previously admitted causing death and serious injury by dangerous driving, failing to stop for police, plus driving other than accordance with the licence and without insurance.

He was said to have previous motoring convictions and was subject to a suspended sentence for burglary at the time of the incident.

His counsel, Liam O’Brien, said Webb accepted full responsibility for the outcome of the incident, which has left him “haunted” by Ms Tiffin’s death.

Mr O’Brien said Webb had shown “genuine remorse” and told him he deserves everything he gets, wishing it was himself who lost his life.

Imposing a prison sentence of six years and eight months, Judge Stephen Earl said it was, “an entirely unnecessary set of circumstances.”

“The defendant was driving in an appalling manner to evade capture by the police.

“No thought was given to those who were in the vehicle at the time.

“There was little the passengers could have done other than remonstrate with him.”

He said Webb would have to live with the consequences, “for the rest of his life”.

Judge Earl also imposed a driving disqualification of eight years and four months on Webb.

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