Jarrow man faces arrest after being convicted of a string of driving offences
Jarrow man faces arrest after being convicted of a string of driving offences in his absence.
A South Tyneside man has been convicted of a string of driving offences and faces arrest after he failed to attend his trial at court.
Allegations against Kevin Dunn, 37, of Birch Street, central Jarrow, relating to crimes in Sunderland on Thursday, June 25, were found proved by magistrates in his absence.
They then issued a warrant without bail for his arrest at the behest of prosecutor Stephen Davies.
At an earlier hearing, Dunn pleaded not guilty to driving without insurance, driving without a licence and failing to stop for police.
‘Erratic’ driving
During his trial, police officers gave evidence they saw Dunn driving while possibly holding a can of alcohol and he had fled when attempts were made to stop his vehicle.
Sgt Kimberley Ball told the South Tyneside court she was off duty with two colleagues and driving when she spotted a man at the wheel of a silver Nissan.
She said both vehicles came to a stop at lights in Whitburn Road, Seaburn, and she saw the driver’s arm come out of the window, holding what she believed was a can of cider.
The officer tailed him to Harbour View, where she saw what she described as a white male, wearing a green T-shirt get out but admitted she had not seen his face.
Of his motoring, she said: “He was driving what I would describe as erratic”, adding he was not speeding but was “swerving quite significantly”.
‘Mr Dunn was the driver of the vehicle’
Sgt Bell said she contacted police with her concerns and then drove from the scene.
Also giving evidence, PC Gary Weaver said he was a passenger in a police vehicle which responded to the call.
He said he saw the Nissan being driven and confirmed it had continued off despite his colleague activating blue lights.
When it stopped in Roker Terrace, Roker, he told magistrates the driver got out and fled but was apprehended.
PC Weaver said the man arrested was wearing green shorts and a green T-shirt.
Mr Davies concluded: “That’s the case. Mr Dunn was the driver of the vehicle.”
Magistrates said they found the case against Dunn “proven beyond reasonable doubt” and agreed to issue an arrest warrant.