Driver sent stolen car airborne in crash during police chase - police release video after man jailed

Police spotted Grant Hunter behind the wheel of a Vauhall motor that had been taken during a burglary in Hebburn, South Tyneside, a few days before.

Newcastle Crown Court the 42-year-old, who had no licence or insurance, sped up after officers illuminated blue lights and sirens as a sign for him to stop.

He eventually lost control of the vehicle at Howard Street in Jarrow, where he crashed into a roundabout and the vehicle left the ground.

Hunter, who has 169 previous convictions which include motoring offences, walked away from the crash but was arrested nearby.

Prosecutor Dr Chris Wood told the court the car had been taken in a burglary on September 8 and Hunter was seen driving it on Mill Lane in Hebburn on September 11.

He said: "Officers followed and at the time the vehicle was travelling at what was anticipated to be normal speed, there was nothing in the circumstances of the driving that gave concern to officers.

"However, as the officers travelled through to Campbell Park Road the manner of the driving changed and the defendant began to increase his speed and therefore risk.

"This is coupled with the fact the roads were visibly wet, it had been raining heavily earlier in the day.

"Officers illuminated blue lights and the defendant continued to travel at speed, through areas that were in part residential and certainly, when looking at the footage, it is clear travelling at speed in areas where the limit was 30 or 40.

"It came to a head when the defendant reached Howard Street in Jarrow, to a roundabout where he failed to give way and instead the vehicle was travelling at such speed it crashed into the roundabout's structure."

Hunter, of no fixed address, admitted dangerous driving, having no licence and no insurance.

Judge Sarah Mallett sentenced him to 13 months behind bars with a two year road ban.

The judge told him: "The roads were wet, the police followed you for a distance and you increased your speed.

"There were lights and sirens for you to stop but you didn't, you increased your speed. You drove a fairly short distance before you were unable to control the vehicle, went straight into a roundabout and the vehicle became airborne, crashed and sustained serious damage."

John Wilkinson, defending, said Hunter should be released immediately due to the time he has spent behind bars on remand.

Detective Constable Stuart Havery, of Northumbria Police, who investigated the case said: “Grant Hunter endangered the lives of other road users and officers as he tore down residential streets at excessive speeds.

“After identifying the white Vauxhall as a suspected stolen vehicle, officers instructed Hunter to pull over – but instead he decided to make a desperate and dangerous bid for freedom.

“Our streets are not race tracks, and Hunter is incredibly fortunate that he did not seriously injure himself or others on the night in question. He knowingly and willingly broke the law in the hope that he would evade police and not be punished for his crimes.

“He now begins a custodial term and I hope he uses this time to reflect on how his selfish behaviour can impact on others.

“There is no place for behaviour like this in our community, and we are committed to ensuring anybody who does endanger the lives of others while behind the wheel is rightly brought to justice.”

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