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Driver high on drink and drugs in chase
A disqualified driver who was high on drink and drugs led police on a 40-minute high-speed chase.
Marc Wood stole a works Volkswagen Caddy van from the driveway of a house in Easington Colliery, Durham Crown Court heard.
Prosecutor Stephanie Donington said Wood was seen taking the van at about 3.20am.
"A short time later, a mobile patrol spotted it in Seaside Lane, going towards South Hetton," she said.
"When the driver realised police were behind, he sped away, damaging three parked cars in the process.
"The police pursued the vehicle, which travelled at speeds of up to 80mph in roads with a 40mph limit."
The chase took in stretches of the A19 in both directions, and the villages of Horden, Haswell and Wheatley Hill.
Two police cars were damaged when they boxed in the Caddy and brought it to a halt.
Wood, 24, of Vincent Street, Easington Colliery, admitted dangerous driving, driving while disqualified, aggravated vehicle-taking, and driving with excess alcohol, all on July 22.
Ron Mitchell, defending, said: "Mr Wood has been on remand since this offence and in that time he has dried out and come off the drugs.
"He has also shown a genuine willingness to put that lifestyle behind him."
Judge Christopher Prince ordered Wood to serve 40 weeks from a previous suspended sentence for drugs possession, plus 12 months for the driving offences.
The judge told him: "Before taking to the road, you had taken both drink and drugs. It is very fortunate no one was killed or seriously injured.
"The total sentence today is 92 weeks, of which you will serve half, less the 136 days you have already served on remand."
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Saturday 04 February 2012
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