Fiat Panda danger driver lead police on pursuit in Sunderland

Anthony Longstaff, 35, zoomed from Pallion Retail Park in his Fiat Panda with his female companion in the passenger seat when confronted.

Longstaff, of Villette Road, Hendon, broke the speed limit and drove on the wrong side of a road in bid to escape.

Multiple police units were called to the scene and his tyres were deflated by a stinger device – but he still failed to stop.

He was eventually apprehended after a seven-minute pursuit on and around Queen Alexandra Road at 1.20am on Wednesday, August 3.

Longstaff has now been handed an interim driving ban ahead of sentencing at Newcastle Crown Court.

Prosecutor Greg Flaxen told magistrates in South Tyneside: “Reports came in of a suspicious vehicle at Pallion Retail Park.

“Officers attended and illuminated their blue lights for the vehicle to stop, but it made no attempt to.

“There was a police chase, and several other police vehicles have become involved.

“A stinger device was deployed, which was effective. Despite this, the Fiat has continued to drive dangerously.

“The driver was causing danger to other road users. The chase continued for seven minutes.

“He has driven on the other side of the carriageway and has exceeded the speed limit. He was arrested.

“This is a case which should be sent to the crown court. It’s a police pursuit at excessive speed.

“There was also a female in the car who the defendant described as his girlfriend. He’s a man who’s appeared before the courts before.”

Longstaff pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, driving without insurance and failing to stop for police.

Jennifer Coxon, defending, urged magistrates to retain sentencing and not send Longstaff to the crown court, which has harsher powers.

She said: “On the face of it, it appears to be a serious offence, but we don’t have footage to see what the alleged speeds are.

“While it’s suggested that the pursuit was for seven minutes, it may not have been that long and there can be longer police pursuits.”

Magistrates ordered reports, granted Longstaff unconditional bail and sent him to the crown court for sentencing on Thursday, September 29.