Sunderland Echo

108mph ON THE WRONG SIDE OF 30mph ROAD

Driver caught on camera reaching life-threatenin­g speeds

- Gareth Crickmer echo.news@jpimedia.co.uk @sunderland­echo

A Mercedes driver clocked a life-threatenin­g 108mph while zooming on the wrong side of a 30mph Sunderland road.

Aaron Lee, 27, of Merle Terrace, Pallion, Sunderland, was caught on camera powering down the single lane Newcastle Road at Roker at 6.10pm on Friday, August 23, last year.

The danger driver’s antics in his sporty £30,000 AMG C63 model, which can hit about 150mph, happened as he headed north between the Tesco superstore and the Grange pub.

Lee was caught on dashcam by a stunned motorist he overtook in the blink of an eye and who handed the footage to police, leading to his arrest.

It was shown to magistrate­s in South Tyne side when he appeared for sentencing, having pleaded guilty at a hearing in August.

Lee could now be jailed for up to three months, after magistrate­s requested a custody band report.

However, the case against him was adjourned for a second time after a pre-sentence report, previously ordered by the court, was delayed.

Prosecutor Lee Poppett said: “He was doing 108mph in a 30mph zone.

“Effectivel­y, the case is that he’s overtaken by Mr Lee, travelling at somewhat of a speed.

“It is 12 weeks’ custody, with a range of community and crown court.

“It’s very much excessive speed in a built-up area. Mr Lee is a man of previous good character.”

It is believed police had to employ an expert speed analyst in order to accurately measure Lee’s speed.

Greg Flaxen, defending, said the pre-sentence re - port request by the previous bench had “slipped through” the cracks.

He added: “This is without a doubt a case that requires a pre-sentence report.

“He a man of previous good character. This is a serious offence.”

Gillian Charlton, chair of the magistrate­s’ bench, adjourned the case for a report to be prepared.

She told Mr Flaxen: “An adjournmen­t is best to give fairness to your client.”

Lee, who pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, was granted unconditio­nal bail to be sentenced at the same court on Friday, October 23.

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