Driver who led police on a high-speed chase is banned from the roads
A young man who led police on a high-speed chase in a car belonging to his friend's dad has kept his freedom.
Kieton Pearson took the BMW for a ride but panicked and sped away from officers when they spotted him on July 3 in the Easington Lane area.
Newcastle Crown Court heard the 22-year-old reached speeds of up 25mph above the speed limit before the pursuit came to a halt just after midnight on July 4.
Prosecutor Oliver Connor said: "The defendant had been at his friend's father's house.
"Whilst he was drinking watching a football match the defendantandtwootherswere in the kitchen drinking."
Thecourtheardthefriend's dad left the property shortly afterwards but it was later realisedthattheblackBMW3Series was missing.
Mr Connor said that later on, two on-duty police officers noticedthecarwhichmatched the description so they pulled up behind it.
He added: "The vehicle, drivenbythedefendant,made off.
"The vehicle continued downtheroadreachingspeeds of 65mph on a 40mph road, weavingeithersideofthewhite lines."
Thepursuittookplaceover Hart Road, West View Road and Northgate before Pearson eventually brought it to a stop and was subsequently arrested.
The court was told there was evidence he had been drinking alcohol prior to the offence taking place, however, he was not over the legal limit.
Pearson, of The Lawns, Easington Lane, has 29 previous convictions for 57 offences and later pleaded guilty to aggravated vehicle taking.
JenniferCoxon,mitigating, said that her client, who cares for his grandmother, accepted the seriousness of his offending.
Ms Coxon added: "He accepts he's wrong by entering a guilty plea in the magistrates’ court.
"He has had difficulties with alcohol at times and drug misuse.
"It wasn't his intention to make off from the police at the time, but naturally panic set in and he accepts his behaviour was wholly inadequate."
Judge Robert Spragg sentenced him to 12 months’ imprisonment suspended for 18 months with 30 days of rehabilitation requirements.
He was also banned from the roads for two years and must pass an extended test before he can return to the wheel.