JAIL FOR POLICE CHASE MOTORIST
A repeat offender who police fear could kill at the wheel has been jailed for a catalogue of motoring crimes described by a prosecutor as being “as serious as it gets”.
Terrance Dunn, 59, of Deerness Road, Hendon, is starting 24 weeks behind bars after being caught driving while banned and without insurance twice in just three days.
On Saturday, February 8, in a car packed with passengers, he led police on a six-mile chase, including on the A690, which they were ordered to abandon, South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court heard.
Just three days later, he tried to flee by reversing after being spotted in the driving seat near Sunderland Royal Hospital – but smashed into the car behind.
The court was told officers had gone out looking for him that day due to concerns he remained on the roads, flouting an existing ban.
Dunn was subject to a 49-month disqualification, imposed in June 2017 for danger driving, driving while banned and without insurance.
He was also caught driving while banned in May last year, for which he was given a further three-year disqualification and jailed for 28 weeks.
In all, the court heard he has 13 previous convictions for driving while disqualified.
Prosecutor Lorna Rimell said: “On February 8, the defendant is seen driving in Chester Road in Sunderland by an officer who saw the defendant stopped at lights and identified him.
“There were passengers in the vehicle.
“The defendant was followed for six miles by the police.
The pursuit was abandoned on orders from a supervisor.
“Officers who saw him on February 8 go out looking for him on the 11th specifically.
“They see him driving away from Sunderland Royal Hospital. He was stood in stationary traffic.
“He was approached by police and he tried to make off from the scene. He has reversed into another vehicle and damaged another vehicle and his own.
“His record is appalling when it comes to driving offences. Police are very concerned that one day he is going to go out and kill someone or himself.
“He keeps committing the same offence over and over again. It’s as serious as it gets.”
Greg Flaxen, defending, said: “I would agree with most of what my friend says except it being as serious as it gets. The officer says he was driving as a competent driver. He accepts driving and pleads guilty at the first opportunity.
“At the traffic lights, when the police jumped on the car, he was not aware that it was the police. They were dressed in plain clothes, and it was not until the door was open that he realised it was police. He panicked.
“He was looking for work. It’s silly, he knows he’s disqualified.”
Dunn, who pleaded guilty to two charges of driving while disqualified and two of driving without insurance, was given two 12-week jail terms to run concurrently for driving while banned.
He was also banned from driving for three years and 12 weeks and must pay a £122 victim surcharge and £85 court costs.