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Sunday 16 January 2022

Newcastle Driver in Police Pursuit Three Weeks After Disqualification for Dangerous Driving

A Newcastle man was involved in a police pursuit three weeks after being disqualified for dangerous driving.

Billy Galbraith, 29, of Ainslie Place, Blakelaw, admitted charges of dangerous driving, failing to stop for a police constable, driving whilst disqualified and driving without insurance when he appeared in custody at North Tyneside Magistrates' Court on Tuesday, 11th January 2022.

Dangerous driving is an offence under section 2 of the Road Traffic Act 1988. It has a maximum penalty of 2 years' custody and/or an unlimited fine on conviction on indictment; 6 months' custody and/or an unlimited fine on summary conviction.

The court heard that the unemployed father of two had been convicted of another offence of dangerous driving only a few weeks earlier.

In relation to the offence at hand, Galbraith was involved in a police pursuit through the streets of Newcastle on the evening of Sunday, 9th January 2022.

Sue Baker, prosecuting, outlined the circumstances: "He went through a red light and travelled between 40 mph and 50 mph in a built-up residential area, veering on to the pavement, and eventually crashing into a fence," Mrs Baker continued.

"He then ran off from the police but he's located hiding under a parked car.

"It's a relatively short pursuit but it's dark, in a residential area and he's gone through a red light. It involves driving on at least three roads.

"Mr Galbraith has also only just been convicted on dangerous driving and he's on a community order."

Jack Lovell, mitigating, said that his client had driven to seek supplies for family members who were isolating due to covid-19.

Mr Lovell added: "There was an unrelated incident taking place nearby and police saw Mr Galbraith in the car.

"They followed him and he panicked. He suffers with his mental health. He suffers with depression."

Having heard the facts, District Judge Kate Meek was of the opinion that the appropriate sentence for Galbraith's offences exceeded the powers available to the Magistrates' Court.

She said: "On 12th December 2021, you were convicted on dangerous driving and you were disqualified from driving.

"You, less than three weeks later, were driving while disqualified and driving dangerously and that dangerous driving arises out of your attempt to evade detection and arrest.

"There's no plausible or good reason as to why you were driving. I'm satisfied, if you wanted to drive again, you would.

"I'm satisfied there's a significant risk, if granted bail, you would re-offend and that presents a risk to the public."

Galbraith was remanded in custody until his sentencing hearing at Newcastle Crown Court on Tuesday, 8th February 2022.

I have to say that "collecting supplies for family members" is a pretty lame excuse for driving whilst disqualified, when the city is covered with bus routes and a supermarket is never more than a 15 minute walk away.

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