Drink-driver jailed after police chase in Sunderland streets saw his vehicle almost hit pedestrian and car

A drink-driver who sparked a police chase after he got "bored" at the start of the first lockdown has been put behind bars.
Danny MatuszekDanny Matuszek
Danny Matuszek

Police spotted that Danny Matuszek's Vauxhall Vectra had no insurance when they saw him driving over the speed limit, with two passengers in his car, on April 6 last year.

Newcastle Crown Court heard the 22-year-old, who had been drinking and held just a provisional licence, refused to pull over and was followed around the streets of Grindon, Sunderland, by the officers.

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Prosecutor Paul Cross told the court: "At one stage his car nearly collided with a pedestrian who was waiting to get into his car and had to jump out of the way.

"He took a T-junction without slowing down.

"Another car had to brake hard to avoid collision."

The court heard after a three-minute pursuit Matuszek brought his car to a stop and was detained nearby.

He was over the drink-drive limit.

Matuszek, of Gainsborough Road, Sunderland, admitted dangerous driving, having no insurance, no licence and driving with excess alcohol.

Tom Mitchell, defending, said the offences happened in the "early days" of lockdown restrictions and added: "The defendant wasn't working because of the new restrictions, he was also in a position where his girlfriend had recently finished with him.

"He was bored and he had been drinking with his friends.

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"In the moment, in drink, in boredom, without enough to do, he found himself behind the wheel of that car."

Mr Mitchell said Matuszek has a job lined up and has "done a bit of growing up" since the offences.

Judge Julie Clemitson sentenced Matuszek to eight months behind bars with a 16-month road ban.

The judge told him: "You chose to take your car, along with two friends, and go for a drive because you were bored during lockdown and you had been drinking.

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"A police officer spotted your and realised your car wasn't insured and followed you.

"You, realising you would be in trouble, decided you would make off from that police officer and not stop.

"That has caused you to land yourself in even more trouble than you would have been."

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