Danger driver jailed after high-speed police chase

A danger driver who led police on a high-speed pursuit before abandoning his car and waiting at a bus stop is now behind bars.
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Uninsured Lewis Nesbitt refused to pull over his Vauxhall Corsa as he tore through the streets of Houghton and forced other drivers to steer out of his way.

The 25-year-old reached perilous speeds of 70mph in residential streets and even collided with two another cars.

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In a desperate bid for freedom, Nesbitt drove through red lights, the wrong way around a roundabout and down a dual carriageway towards oncoming traffic.

Lewis Nesbitt.Lewis Nesbitt.
Lewis Nesbitt.

Officers later found the Corsa abandoned on South View Terrace in Houghton and searched the area – only to find a "sheepish" Nesbitt standing at a bus stop.

He was arrested and admitted dangerous driving, failing to stop, having no insurance, driving without a licence and failing to provide a specimen.

At Newcastle Crown Court today Nesbitt, of Hertburn Gardens, Concord, Washington, has been jailed for 20 months and given a three year road ban.

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Miss Recorder Davies, who watched police dashcam footage of the pursuit, told him: "It was fortunate indeed, having seen the film, that no-one was injured or killed by your driving on that morning."

Prosecutor Nicholas Lane told the court police followed Nesbitt's Corsa on September 5 last year when they saw it go through a red light and activated their blue lights and sirens.

Nesbitt drove along Philadelphia Lane in Houghton, which has a 30mph limit, at around 70mph.

Mr Lane said: "The vehicle was being driven into oncoming traffic, forcing other road users out of the way."

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The court heard Nesbitt went around a number of bends on the wrong side of the road, went through another red light and was "weaving through traffic ", often on the wrong side of the carriageway.

The court heard when he reached Lake roundabout he went around it the wrong way and then drove onto the northbound carriageway of the A183, travelling south.

Mr Lane added: "Oncoming vehicles were having to take evasive action to prevent a collison."

The court heard the police had to abandon the pursuit but Nesbitt was spotted half an hour later and detained.

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Officers said his speech was slurred, eyes were glazed and his pupils were dilated but Nesbitt refused to give any specimens for analysis.

During the driving a Toyota Rav 4 and a VW Golf were both hit by Nesbitt's vehicle and damaged.

PC Steven Hackett, of Northumbria Police’s motor patrols department, said: "Nesbitt's erratic behaviour on that morning could have easily resulted in serious injury or death.

"He knowingly and willingly endangered the lives of other road users as he drove down residential streets at excess speeds with only one thing on his mind – getting away from police.

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"After abandoning his vehicle and fleeing on foot, Nesbitt hoped to blend in with the crowd and avoid punishment – but officers were aware of his identity and spotted him standing at a bus stop. He was swiftly arrested.

"Nesbitt clearly cannot be trusted to adhere to the laws of the road and has proven he is a danger to himself and others when behind the wheel. He now must face the serious consequences of his actions."

Jamie Adams, defending, said it was "amazing" nobody was hurt or killed.

Mr Adams said Nesbitt, who has a criminal record, was recalled to prison to continue serving a five year sentence for violence as a result of the driving that day.

He added: "He is still a young man. He seems to have lost his way, somewhat, in life."