A disqualified driver has been jailed for leading police traffic officers on a dangerous seven-mile chase taking in residential roads.
Stuart William Trotter was spotted by specialist motor patrols officers as he drove at excessive speeds on Dairy Lane, Houghton-le-Spring, in the early hours of Thursday July 7.
Newcastle Crown Court heard that despite clear instructions requesting him to pull over for police, Trotter continued to drive at high-speed for more than 15 minutes, reaching speeds up to 80mph in a residential 30-limit zone.
Keen to bring the chase to a close, officers decided to deploy a stinger tyre-deflating device, but the 43-year-old defendant continued driving despite his Audi 3 suffering increasing damage.
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His luck soon ran out, however, after he attempted to drive down an embankment, as he had to abandon the vehicle and flee officers on foot.
Trotter, of Pinewood Avenue, Harraton, Washington, was arrested and charged with dangerous driving, driving while disqualified, failing to provide a specimen and having no insurance, offences he admitted at the court, last month.
He was remanded in custody prior to appearing before the same court on August 23, when he received an 18-month prison sentence.
Trotter was also banned from driving for three years, which only comes into effect following his release from his prison sentence.
Sergeant Glen Robson, of Northumbria Police’s Operation Dragoon team, said: “It’s clear that Trotter has shown a total disregard for the law and for the safety of other road users.
“This was a potentially dangerous incident that saw officers led on a 15-minute pursuit by a driver who showed little desire to pull over and hand himself in.
“While the driver still tried to evade officers on foot, his luck certainly ran out with Trotter put in handcuffs just moments after the pursuit ended.
“The law is not optional, and when anybody gets behind the wheel of a car and drives dangerously, they risk ruining more than one life forever.
“His actions were selfish and reckless, and I’m pleased that Trotter is now behind bars and banned from the roads for a significant period of time.”
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Sgt Robson said: “We will continue to use every tactic at our disposal to protect all our road users and ensure any perpetrators are brought to justice.”
He added that the Northumbria force continues to support the drink and drug driving campaign led by the National Police Chiefs’ Council, which runs until August 28.
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