Man pleads not guilty to dangerous driving after car smashes into garden

Christopher Lee Storey, 23, of no fixed abode, had been charged with dangerous driving, having no insurance, driving while disqualified and making off without payment.

Appearing at South Tyneside Magistrates' Court today, he entered not guilty pleas to all charges against him.

He has been bailed to appear at Newcastle Crown Court on November 23.

A second man, also aged 23, was released without charge after being arrested.

Rita and Ed Haws, of Albert Road, had been in bed when they heard a huge bang at about 11.40pm on Tuesday.

Mr Haws, 74, initially thought it was a gas explosion until he looked out of the window to see the destruction outside, with a car on its side slightly further up the street.

He said: "The garden was a mess, the walls were smashed and this car was on its side. We were just thinking, 'what the heck?'"