Danger driver behind bars after being caught in the act by off-duty cop

Michael Strong, 28, was given a 12-week jail term after he was spotted driving a black Mercedes on the A690 in Sunderland last June.

He was caught weaving in between traffic at high speeds by off-duty PC Gary Morris who was able to identify Strong as the man behind the wheel.

Strong, of High Elms, Sunderland, was also disqualified from driving for 12 months and told to pay an £80 victim surcharge after appearing at Sunderland Magistrates Court.

Motor Patrols Chief Inspector John Heckels said: "We are always targeting those who are a danger on our roads and taking action against them.

"Strong showed no regard for other road users and his actions could have led to an even more serious incident.

"I also want to praise the work of PC Morris who was aware Strong had a history of driving offences and was able to help locate him and put him before the courts.

"We will continue to do all we can to identify and tackle the minority of drivers who are putting peoples' lives at risk and get them off our roads."

PC Gary Morris said: "This was a case of me being in the right place at the right time and being able to identify Strong from my ongoing work in the Sunderland area.

"The custodial sentence he has received shows that this type of behaviour is taken seriously and is all the reward we need for the work we do.

"We will continue to identify people who could be repeat offenders on our roads and put investigations in place to bring them before the courts."