A MAN who previously denied driving dangerously while being pursued by police, has changed his plea less than a fortnight before his scheduled trial

Simon Paul Faulkner was at the wheel of a car followed by police round streets of Seaham, in October, last year.

Appearing via video link to Durham Crown Court, from the city’s nearby prison, Faulkner denied the charge of dangerous driving at a plea hearing in November.

It related to the police pursuit of a Citroen Saxo, in Ryton Crescent and Kingston Avenue, on Wednesday October 17.

Martin Scarborough, who was representing the 33-year-old defendant, told that hearing: “He accepts being the driver at the time.

“The police were looking for his passenger and tried to intercept the vehicle.

“But, he says he was not driving in the manner described by the police.”

The case was listed for a trial of between one and two days, due to start at the court on Monday February 25.

But, with the hearing looming, the case came back into the court list, marked: “For plea.”

Mr Scarborough asked for the charge to be put again, to his client, who was again appearing over the video link from Durham Prison.

This time, he pleaded guilty to dangerous driving.

Judge Christopher Prince, who is midway through presiding over a sex case, said he was not prepared to pass sentence, at the moment.

He adjourned the hearing to a date agreed between barristers, of Friday March 15.

Judge Prince remanded Faulkner, of Ryton Crescent, Seaham, to remain in custody until the sentencing hearing.