Danger driver rammed police cars in Sunderland pursuit

Paul Clark wrote off a parked Passat motor and damaged an Audi before tearing through streets at speed, mounting kerbs and driving on a footpath, with his passenger door wide open.

Newcastle Crown Court heard the 29-year-old, who was out on licence for causing serious injury by dangerous driving, was eventually brought to a halt when police deployed a stinger device.

An officer involved in the pursuit said it was a "miracle" nobody was badly hurt.

Prosecutor Penny Hall told the court police had been called to a disturbance at Concord Square in Sunderland on April 14 and an officer indicated for Clark to stop when she saw him behind the wheel of a black VW Golf, close to the scene.

But the court heard the road menace, who has a record for motoring convictions, went onto a pavement, collided with a wall and hit the parked Passat.

The officer opened Clark's passenger door in a bid to stop him and he revved his engine and moved his vehicle back and forwards to get off the grass and drove off.

Miss Hall said the officer was "concerned she would be pinned against a wall" as he drove off with the door still open and hit an Audi.

The court heard tactical pursuit officers were drafted in to try and stop Clark, who mounted a kerb and drove onto a footpath, and they tried to box him in.

But Miss Hall added: "He rammed a police car and managed to make off again."

Clark then went the wrong way around a roundabout, rammed another police vehicle and was eventually brought to a standstill using a spiked tyre deflation device.

Miss Hall said: "One officer said it was a miracle to him no-one was seriously injured as a result of this incident."

Clark, of Pembroke Avenue, Sunderland, admitted dangerous driving, driving while disqualified and having no insurance.

Judge Edward Bindloss sentenced him to 14 months behind bars with a four year road ban.

The judge told him: "The possibility of risk to police officers and members of the public was high."

Nicholas Lane, defending, said Clark had "panicked" and added: "He wishes to apologise. He makes no excuse for his behaviour, he is deeply ashamed anddisgusted by the manner of his driving."

Mr Lane said Clark had just split from his partner and "reverted to his old ways" and was on valium.