Illegal driver crashed while fleeing from police

Antony Gardiner was sentenced at Newcastle Crown Court

A driver who crashed while fleeing police because he feared he would get told off for not wearing a seatbelt has been given a suspended prison sentence.

Antony Gardiner, 34, nearly hit a police car while speeding over a junction in Sunderland in August 2023, Newcastle Crown Court heard.

The uninsured and unlicensed driver then smashed his Land Rover into a lamppost.

He was jailed for eight months, suspended for 18 months, and ordered to complete 200 hours' unpaid work after admitting dangerous driving.

Prosecutor Gabrielle Wilks said two officers in a marked car saw a Land Rover which "appeared to be traveling at excessive speed" on Toward Road on 8 August.

She said the police driver had to slam his brakes on to avoid being hit by Gardiner as the Land Rover made no attempt to stop or slow down at a give way line.

The police car activated its blue lights but the Land Rover drove off, with officers catching up after it crashed on Ryhope Road, Ms Wilks said.

Gardiner, of Corporation Road in Sunderland, was arrested at the scene and told officers he was sorry, but had "just panicked and took off" as he thought he was going to be pulled over for not wearing a seatbelt, the court heard.

He also admitted driving without a licence or insurance and was banned from driving for three years.