Jail for disqualified driver who led police on 80mph chase

A disqualified driver who led police on an 80mph pursuit through the centre of Darlington has been jailed.

Joshua Norman was spotted by officers driving a white Mini Cooper in the early hours of Thursday, February 20.

They illuminated their blue lights and signalled for him to pull over but were ignored by the 30-year-old who instead drove off at high speed.

A pursuit was authorised and a chase began, which saw Norman driving at 80mph in a 30mph zone, on the wrong side of the road, and through a red light in an attempt to evade capture.

He eventually crashed the car on John Williams Boulevard and tried to run off, but was detained by police officers at the scene.

On searching the car, officers also found a machete in the passenger’s seat footwell.

Norman, of Darlington, was charged with possession of a blade or sharply pointed article, dangerous driving, driving while disqualified, driving with no insurance, and failing to provide a specimen for analysis.

He admitted the offences at court, which put him in breach of a suspended sentence order imposed on December 31 for an attempted burglary and vehicle interference.

Appearing at Teesside Crown Court on Friday (March 21), Norman was jailed for two years and six months and disqualified from driving for a further five years.

Detective Constable Charlotte Naisby, from Darlington CID, said: “Norman put other road users’ lives at risk with his reckless driving which could have very easily ended in tragedy.

“He is a prolific Darlington offender so I am pleased he is now off the streets and behind bars.”