Police deployed stinger in an attempt to stop a dangerous South Shields drunk driver
A drunk motorist continued to drive after police used a stinger to pop his tyres in South Shields.
A boozy South Tyneside motorist took police on a danger drive when he refused to pull over even after they blew out his tyres with a stinger, a court heard.
Anthony Marr’s escapade saw him drive on the John Reid Road dual carriageway and King George Road in South Shields while running on flat.
At one point, Marr, 66, of Horsley Hill Road, Westoe, clipped a central reservation and eventually came to a stop with a “violent” yank of the wheel of his black Volvo.
The offender, who was caught drink driving in 2021, was alcohol-free for two years but fell off the wagon and got behind the wheel on Wednesday, April 8.
Police deploy a stinger
Prosecutor Mariam Odetoro said police were tipped off about a dangerous driver on the A194 Leam Lane at South Shields.
A response team who raced to the scene found another police patrol on his tail and a third had used a stinger device to blow his tyres.
Despite his vehicle being partially immobilised, Ms Odetoro said Marr sped on.
She revealed: “A police radio message was received. The defendant’s vehicle was headed towards the John Reid Road and towards Prince Edward Road.
“As police approached, other police were in pursuit, and another had successfully stung a number of tyres.
“The defendant’s vehicle carried on into King George Road and officers followed directly behind.
“Despite stinging the tyres out, he continued down the road. He was driving with deflated tyres.
“He then performed a sharp turn to the left, violently turning into a parking area. When he came to a stop, he was arrested.
“He has one qualifying conviction in 2021 of driving with excess alcohol.
“The crown submits that the standard of driving passes the threshold for dangerous driving.”
Admitting to the offences against him
Marr pleaded guilty to charges of dangerous driving, driving while unfit through drink, driving without insurance and driving without a licence.
Janice Hall, defending, told the court: “I do have to say that before he attended today, there was no charge of dangerous driving. This has been laid today.
“He has taken the decision to plead guilty at the earliest opportunity.
“A stinger was used to burst the tyres of his vehicle, and he accepts that he continued to drive and that in itself is dangerous.
“Evidence shows that he clipped the central reservation. I must concede that this passes the community threshold.
“Mr Marr has struggled for a number of years with alcohol addiction and has sought assistance for that.
“Having gone for a period of approximately two years without touching a drop, he consumed alcohol and took the decision to drive.
“He’s not had a drop since but there is an underlying issue. He must be disqualified from driving for this offence and there’s a minimum of at least three years.”
Magistrates handed Marr an interim driving ban and adjourned the case for reports for sentencing at the same court on Thursday, October 15.