Van driver led police on dangerous high-speed chase before …

A van driver is facing jail after deliberately ramming into an oncoming car while taking police on a dangerous high-speed chase.

Shane Paolozzi had no insurance or licence when he got behind the wheel of a Transit Tipper and put his foot down when he saw officers in a marked car. The mindless 19-year-old then led the constables on a prolonged pursuit through built up areas of Newcastle[1], a court[2] heard.

During the chase, Paolozzi went the wrong way around roundabouts, travelled on the opposite side of the road and flouted the speed limit, prosecutors said. The incident only finally came to an end when he deliberately rammed his van into an oncoming vehicle in a tunnel under a railway before trying to flee the scene on foot.

Newcastle Magistrates' Court[4] heard that the teenage motor menace left his two passengers in the van as he attempted to escape but was later found and arrested. Now, Paolozzi, of Bodmin Close, in Wallsend[5], is facing a stint behind bars after he pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, driving without insurance, driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence and failing to stop after an accident.

Prosecutor, Michael Lawson, said officers spotted Paolozzi in the Transit vehicle on Walker Road, in Walker[6], Newcastle, on February 17 this year. He added: "There's a substantial and lengthy police chase.

"The defendant is recorded on police dash cam going around a roundabout the wrong way, driving on the wrong side of the road and travelling at excessive speed in built-up areas. However, at the end of the police chase, the defendant deliberately rams an oncoming vehicle going through a tunnel, a short railway tunnel."

The court heard that cowardly Paolozzi got out his van, left his two passengers inside and fled the scene on foot. Mr Lawson continued: "For those reasons, the prosecution say that, for the dangerous driving, the starting point is one-and-a-half years custody with a range of one year to two years.

"In those circumstances, the prosecution say that this should be sent to the crown court for sentence. It is beyond the sentencing powers of the magistrates' court."

Karen Minhas, defending, said: "He's 19-years-old with no previous convictions. I would agree that this is outside your sentencing powers."

Paolozzi was released on unconditional bail to next appear at Newcastle Crown Court on August 30.

References

  1. ^ Newcastle (www.chroniclelive.co.uk)
  2. ^ court (www.chroniclelive.co.uk)
  3. ^ Ashington drink-driver took pal's car and ploughed it into pick-up truck before fleeing scene (www.chroniclelive.co.uk)
  4. ^ Newcastle Magistrates' Court (www.chroniclelive.co.uk)
  5. ^ Wallsend (www.chroniclelive.co.uk)
  6. ^ Walker (www.chroniclelive.co.uk)

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