North East Dangerous Drivers Sentenced for Reckless Behavior
Over recent months, multiple offenders in the North East have been convicted of dangerous driving, with cases involving high-speed police pursuits, wrong-way driving, and vehicles used as weapons. The defendants faced court for their actions behind the wheel, resulting in injuries and significant risks to public safety.
Steven Ruddick: Car Used as Weapon in Wallsend
Steven Ruddick, an angry driver, tried to run over two men who had bested him in a fight but missed, striking an innocent man instead. The victim, a carer, suffered a double leg break, spent a week in hospital, and struggled financially while off work. Ruddick, who had been left battered and bruised after the dispute in Wallsend, turned his car into a weapon. According to reports, his sister was murdered when he was a child, and he "overreacted." Despite later headbutting and spitting at police officers, Ruddick evaded a prison sentence.
Alfie Ford: Teenager Reaches 104mph in 40mph Zone
Alfie Ford, 19, drove more than 100mph in a 40mph zone while fleeing police in Jarrow. Matthew Hopkins, prosecuting, told Newcastle Crown Court that Ford sped off in a black Vauxhall Corsa, driving on the wrong side of the road. He was recorded at 85mph in a 30mph zone and 104mph in a 40mph zone, went through two red lights, and overtook vehicles at 80-90mph. He also drove over a zebra crossing at 85mph with pedestrians nearby. Police aborted the chase due to the danger, but another officer spotted and followed him.
Mohammed Syeed Ali: Burglary and Wrong-Way Driving
Mohammed Syeed Ali broke into a family home while occupants and their two-year-old child slept upstairs. He stole car keys and drove a Seat Arona the wrong way down a slip road. A neighbour heard the car leave and contacted police. The case was heard at Newcastle Crown Court.
Dillon Day: Judge Calls for Maximum Sentence Review
Judge Jonathan Carroll declared the circumstances in Dillon Day's case "so bad" that it warranted Parliament revisiting the maximum sentence for dangerous driving. Day, 22, exceeded 100mph during a police pursuit on the A174 and through a street where schoolchildren were heading to lessons. He crashed into a property on a residential Middlesbrough street. Teesside Crown Court heard Day was driving a stolen white Mercedes E-Class, taken from a burgled home on Overdale Road. Kathryn Wetherley, prosecuting, noted the vehicle had been stolen two hours prior.
Mozafar Shan: Stinger Device Halts Cocaine-Using Driver
Mozafar Shan, 37, crashed into a police vehicle after a stinger device was deployed on the A66. Shan had consumed cocaine and was disqualified from driving when spotted in a Ford Transit van on September 16 last year. Imogen Eastham-Brown, prosecuting, told Teesside Crown Court that Shan drove through a red light and accelerated away. The pursuit went through South Bank and Grangetown districts around 10pm before Shan was stopped on the A66 westbound. The stinger punctured the van's front tyres.
Mohammad Ali: Avoids Jail Despite 100mph Pursuit
Mohammad Ali avoided jail despite leading police on a chase at speeds up to 100mph. He returned to Newcastle Crown Court after being convicted of two dangerous driving offences from March 18. Around 1am, PCs Matthews and Warburton spotted Ali driving his Volkswagen Golf GTD very close to another vehicle. Ali braked heavily upon seeing the police car but failed to stop when a space appeared, despite slowing to 15mph.
Thomas Burn: 120mph Pursuit on A69
Thomas Burn rammed a police car and reached 120mph during a high-speed pursuit on the A69 in Northumberland. He struck the police vehicle while travelling at least 56mph, nearly hitting the central reservation before speeding off. The 36-year-old weaved across the carriageway, described by police as "appalling driving." The court heard he put officers' lives at risk.
