Danger driver attacked police after pursuit crash

Mark Trotter was sentenced at Durham Crown Court

A dangerous driver who attacked a police officer after crashing during a drug-fuelled pursuit has been spared jail by a judge who said he had "turned his life around" in the aftermath.

Mark Trotter, 38, reached 60mph in a 30mph zone, drove through red lights and into the path of oncoming traffic before crashing into a car in Bishop Auckland in March 2024, Durham Crown Court heard.

Trotter had driven to the area under the influence of heroin, crack cocaine and alcohol to go shoplifting, the court was told.

He was jailed for 18 months suspended for two years after admitting dangerous driving and assaulting an emergency worker.

Believing Trotter was driving a Citroen C2 under the influence, a police officer in a marked car attempted to stop him near the shopping park at Tindale Crescent at about 21:00 GMT on 21 March last year, the court heard.

After initially stopping, Trotter, who had passengers in the car, then sped away when the officer got out of his car, Judge Richard Bennett said.

There then followed a nearly two minute-long pursuit in which Trotter sped through a red light and caused other cars to have to get out of the way, the court heard.

It ended when Trotter mounted a pavement and hit a car and electricity substation.

'Canny driving'

Trotter then attempted to run away and pushed the police officer in the face, breaking the PC's glasses, before a passing off-duty officer stopped to help bring him under control, the judge said.

Trotter admitted he had taken drugs and drink but denied being the driver, the court heard.

When confronted with footage captured by the police car's dashcam, Trotter, of Stockton Road in Hartlepool, replied: "I think it's canny good driving."

Judge Bennett said Trotter had bought the car for £150 to sleep in and had travelled to Barnard Castle from west Durham that day to go shoplifting, all while under the influence of drugs.

The judge said the pursuit ended "not because of a change of heart" by Trotter but rather because he crashed.

But, Judge Bennett added, the incident had been a turning point for Trotter who in the aftermath sought help for his drug addiction and moved to a new area to escape the influence of other people.

The judge said he often disbelieved such claims made by defendants in court, but there was evidence of "significant and positive changes" in Trotter's case, including a string of negative drug tests.

Judge Bennett said it was an "extremely rare case where someone has turned their around", but warned Totter he would be jailed if he breached the suspended sentence order.

Trotter, who also admitted driving without a licence or insurance and failing to provide a specimen, was ordered to pay £500 compensation to the owner of the car he hit and £34.50 for new glasses for the officer.

He must also comply with a six-month curfew and was banned from driving for two and half years.