Man led police on stolen motorbike 100mph pursuit
Northumbria PoliceA man on a stolen motorbike who led police on an "outrageously dangerous" 100mph pursuit has been jailed for a year.
Peter Smith, 37, was banned from driving when two officers on motorbikes spotted him riding around Blyth on 3 July last year, Newcastle Crown Court heard.
He fled over footpaths and football fields at speed during the 10-minute pursuit before abandoning the machine and his biking clothes, including his boots, and fleeing barefoot in a taxi, the court heard.
Smith, of Priory Grange in Blyth, admitted dangerous driving and driving whilst disqualified.
Smith reached speed of 100mph as he over and undertook cars and travelled down residential streets and along footpaths to evade arrest, prosecutor Jordan Parkinson said.
A woman reported the bike and clothing being abandoned and said she had seen the rider getting barefoot into a taxi, the court heard.
The taxi had been booked under the name Peter and the mobile phone used was linked to Smith, Ms Parkinson said.
The motorbike had earlier been reported stolen from the Police Scotland area, the prosecutor said.
Smith, who had 72 offences on his criminal record, committed his latest crimes while subject to a suspended 24-week prison sentence for assault, the court heard.
In mitigation the court heard Smith had fixed the motorbike for a friend was and "foolishly" taking it for a test drive when he panicked after being spotted by police.
Recorder Carl Gumsley said Smith's criminal record was appalling and he had "shown contempt" to the court by breaching orders.
He said Smith's driving was "outrageously dangerous" and Smith had ignored "opportunity after opportunity" that had been given to him by the courts.
He was also banned from driving for three and a half years and must pass an extended test.