Passenger in stolen car faces court

A MAN who was a passenger in a stolen Audi and was ushering an acquaintance to hospital after he’d been stabbed has been dealt with at court.

Mark Brown was a back seat passenger in a car that had been taken without the owner’s consent when it was seen being driven dangerously on April 16, 2020. The 31-year-old and another man – who had been stabbed that morning – were picked up in the Audi A4 before witnesses saw it hitting speeds of up to 120mph.

When the occupants of the car were arrested, Brown was found in possession of a CS gas canister.

Brown, of Wallsend Road, North Shields, appeared at Newcastle Crown Court to be sentenced for possession of the canister and allowing himself to be carried in a car taken without the owner’s consent. He pleaded guilty to the charges at a previous hearing.

Neil Jones, prosecuting, said Brown, who was “intoxicated”, was picked up by those who had taken the car and was with the “injured party” who had “suffered stab wounds that morning”. He said: “The defendant was getting a lift with someone in order to secure treatment for the person who had been stabbed.”

The court heard Brown had 10 previous convictions for 12 offences and the car that he was a passenger in was eventually returned to the owner.

Tony Cornberg, defending, said Brown found the gas canister in a field but kept it on him for protection.

He said he is now receiving alcohol support and has since secured a job in Bristol.

Brown was handed an 18-month community order and ordered him to complete 45 rehabilitation activity days.