Sunderland man told he could have ended up in any cemetery after reckless driving
A danger driver who took police on a six-minute pursuit on and off road in Sunderland was lucky not to end up dead, magistrates said.
They told reckless Sean McCann, 30, he could have “ended up in any cemetery” for his actions at night in areas around Hylton Castle.
He sped off through a red light when police pulled alongside him on a slip to the A1231 Wessington Way and indicated for him to stay stationary.
McCann, 30, of Suffolk Street, Houghton-le-Spring, careered around Ferryboat Lane, Coverley Road, Washington Road and Hylton Lane, hitting 60mph in 20mp zones.
At times at 11pm on Thursday, September 4, he also drove onto grassland and past the gardens of residential homes, a court heard.
He pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, failing to stop for police, driving without a licence and driving without insurance.
Magistrates in South Tyneside jailed him for 26 weeks but suspended the sentence for 15 months - and banned him from driving for two years.
John Lee, chair of the bench, told him he was “lucky” to be able to appear in court as he “could have ended up in any cemetery”.
Prosecutor Lesley Burgess said the chase began after a patrolling officer spotted McCann turn quickly onto a slip road near the A1231.
She told magistrates in South Tyneside: “All of these offences arise from the same incident.
“The evidence comes from an officer who pursued the defendant driving the vehicle and the whole pursuit was captured on dash cam.
“The police officer describes seeing a Seat Arona. It took a slip road at the last moment, it was a quick manoeuvre.
“The officer describes pulling up alongside and gesturing to him to pull over. He just wanted to speak to him about his speed.
“The vehicle went through a red light where they had been stopped.
“He goes through 20pmh and 30pmh zones where you can see the vehicle driving at 60mph in these zones.
“At some point he simply drives on grassed areas near residential gardens. You see the car come off the road. It’s very dangerous driving.
“The one thing the crown does concede is that there was no accident as a result of the driving.
“It was police pursued, very dangerous, high speed and residential gardens.”
The court heard McCann has one criminal conviction in the past 10 years.
Alastair Naismith, defending, conceded McCann had performed “dangerous manoeuvres” and there was evidence of poor driving.
But he added: “There was no injury or damage caused. The Probation Service report sets out that he wasn’t thinking straight.
“It seems like a weak excuse but that is what it was. It’s a very odd series of events.”
Magistrates also ordered McCann to complete 15 rehabilitation days and pay a £154 victim surcharge and £85 court costs.
He must sit an extended test before getting his driving licence back.