Drug-driver led police on chase
A DRIVER who was high on drugs when she took police on a chase along busy main roads has avoided jail.
Officers initially started following Somayeh Eftekhari while she was behind the wheel of her white Range Rover as they wrongly thought the vehicle had been stolen.
After witnessing the 39-year-old ignore two red lights, the police activated their blue lights and siren and attempted to get her to pull over, a court heard.
However, Eftekhari ignored the request, instead putting her foot down and taking police on a pursuit along Leam Lane and the A194 Felling Bypass, in Gateshead. During the chase, Eftekhari ignored more red lights, flouted the speed limit and failed to give way at junctions, magistrates were told.
Tactical officers were deployed and finally managed to stop Eftekhari and she was arrested. A blood sample was taken, which showed her to be over the limit for amphetamine, and she was also found in possession of the class B drug.
Eftekhari, of Moulton Place, in Blakelaw, Newcastle, has now narrowly avoided prison after she pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, driving above the specified drug limit and possessing a class B drug.
Giving her a six-month prison sentence, suspended for 12 months, District Judge Paul Currer said: “You went through red lights and drove in a dangerous manner, putting you and others at risk.
“Normally, people who drive in this way get sent to the crown court and get dealt with there where the penalties are more severe.
“Your situation was made worse by the fact you had taken amphetamine, which was over the prescribed limit, which made your driving even more dangerous and the risks posed even more pertinent.”
Newcastle Magistrates’ Court was told that police were on Leam Lane at around 9.15pm on February 12 this year after receiving reports that a stolen white Range Rover was in the area. They spotted Eftekhari behind the wheel of a vehicle that matched the description and started following her.
Rehana Haque, prosecuting, said: “They saw the defendant contravene two sets of traffic lights on a roundabout before travelling north on the A194 Felling Bypass. At this time, the officers indicated for the defendant to stop. They continued to pursue and passed on updates to other officers.
“The defendant continued to contravene traffic lights, failed to give way at junctions and was over the speed limits. The standard of driving was dangerous and fell below the normal standard.
“Tactical officers attended and managed to stop the defendant just off the Park Lane roundabout.”
The court heard that Eftekhari was arrested after she refused a roadside breath test and was found in possession of a wrap of amphetamine. She did, however, later give a blood sample, which was over the limit for the class B drug.
Janice Hall, defending, said Eftekhari had no past convictions and had been taking amphetamine to self-medicate her mental health problems.
Mrs Hall added: “She’s very sorry for breaking the law. She’s never had so much as a penalty point previously having driven for seven or eight years.”
Eftekhari was also banned from driving for 12 months and must take an extended test before she can get her licence back.