Four in dock over alleged illegal race
CHARGES
Reporter FOUR men have appeared in court over a suspected illegal car race through an industrial estate in Northumberland.
David Burdis, Robert Graham and Garry Kelly are accused of being behind the wheels of vehicles in the race, while Damien Rodgers is alleged to have been the organiser.
All four were in the dock on Thursday charged with offences related to dangerous driving,
The court was told the case concerned a suspected car race on Nelson Road, on Cramlington Industrial Estate, on October 28, which was allegedly watched by a “large number” of members of the public. Burdis, 27, of Bensham Crescent, Bensham, Gateshead, is accused of being behind the wheel of a Vauxhall Corsa and faces one count each of dangerous driving, driving without a licence and without insurance.
Graham, 35, of Falmouth Road, Sunderland, and Kelly, 23, of West Terrace, Choppington, Northumberland, both faced one charge each of dangerous driving. They are accused of driving a Ford Focus and Vauxhall Corsa respectively.
All three withheld their pleas to the allegations.
Rodgers, 38, of Coach Road Estate, Washington, pleaded not guilty to three counts of aiding or abetting dangerous driving.
James Long, prosecuting, said, because of the seriousness of the charges, the case should be sent to the crown court.
He added: “In a nutshell, the prosecution say this is not suitable for this court and it should be allocated to the crown court.
“It’s an allegation of an organised, illegal road race of young drivers.”
All four defending solicitors made no representations about where the case should be heard.
Magistrates declined jurisdiction and released the men on unconditional bail to next appear at Newcastle Crown Court on March 22.