See South Shields danger driver race from cops on wrong side of road before being cornered and arrested

A danger driver fled police at double the speed limit and on the wrong side of the road – at one point stopping to wave to them.
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Martin Smith, 46, then put his foot back to the floor of his Audi Q7 and powered off, only to be cornered in South Shields’ seafront Littlehaven car park.

Even then Smith, of Orchid Gardens, at the Nook, South Shields, who had driven around a mile from Laygate, did not come quietly, magistrates in South Tyneside heard.

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Prosecutor Grace Taylor said it took police ten minutes to drag him from his automatic transmission car, which also moved forward and hit their vehicle on Tuesday, April 7.

Martin Smith raced on the wrong side of a roundabout to evade copsMartin Smith raced on the wrong side of a roundabout to evade cops
Martin Smith raced on the wrong side of a roundabout to evade cops

Magistrates deemed Smith’s offending so serious they have sent him to Newcastle Crown Court for sentencing on Thursday, January 7.

Ms Taylor said: “Police saw a white Audi travelling at speed. It failed to stop, and police put on their lights and sirens.

“His Audi travelled on the wrong side of the road and he then stopped the vehicle in the middle of the road.

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“The driver opened the window and appeared to wave at officers before driving off.

Martin Smith, 46, was cornered in South Shields’ seafront Littlehaven car park.Martin Smith, 46, was cornered in South Shields’ seafront Littlehaven car park.
Martin Smith, 46, was cornered in South Shields’ seafront Littlehaven car park.

“Police saw him overtake another driver and he travelled at 60mph in a 30mph zone.

“The car drove into a dead end and it attempted a U-turn but was blocked in by officers. He was carrying a passenger who ran off.

“They tried to get Mr Smith out, but they couldn’t, and it took them 10 minutes to do so.

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“The vehicle was in drive mode and it went forward and hit the police car. Police had to use a spray on him.”

Ms Taylor said an offensive weapon, a nunchuck, was found in the passenger footwell.

Smith was arrested but refused to provide a blood or urine sample for analysis.

He claimed this was due to a medical reason which he would not identify.

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When quizzed about his driving, he told police: “I panicked and legged it. I was scared, I was scared out of my wits.”

David Forrester, defending, said the crown court was the suitable venue for sentencing.

Smith, who pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, possession of an offensive weapon, failing to provide a sample for analysis, and obstructing police, was granted unconditional bail.

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