A driver who caused a horror crash in the North East of England earlier this month has admitted to dangerous driving after appearing in court.
Mazyar Azarbonyad, 20, of Syliva Terrace, Stanley, County Durham, appeared at Newcastle Magistrates' Court where he admitted to a number of offences.
Azarbonyad, who works as a personal trainer, was taking a woman out for a first date when an accident caused seven police officers to be injured in a crash involving five police cars.
The 20-year-old admitted to several driving offences, including driving without insurance and a licence several times after the horrific crash.
Do you have a story you'd like to share? Get in touch by emailingmotoring@gbnews.uk
Seven police officers were taken to hospital after the accident
PA
The defendant was behind the wheel of a BMW, which was being pursued by the police along the A1 near the Gateshead and Newcastle border at around 2.30am on April 9 when the collision occurred.
According to the PA news agency, magistrates were told that a woman in the car with Azarbonyad at the time was on her first date with him and he was taking her home.
He also admitted to dangerous driving and failing to stop on the night of Friday, April 9.
Azarbonyad, who came to the UK from Iran in around 2020, had been granted bail pending a court appearance, but continued to drive on four further occasions.
It was heard that he drove a Hyundai i10 to work at a gym in the centre of Newcastle, despite bail conditions telling him not to drive.
Simon Worthy, prosecuting, said: “One would have thought as a matter of common sense that having been involved in something of this seriousness, plastered all over the press, the TV, the newspapers, online, that you would have been a bit more sensible about your activities, having been so lucky to get out of an accident only two days before.
"But no, no, you continue to stick two fingers up."
Mr Lovell said a number of the police vehicles manoeuvred around the BMW, with helicopter footage showing the vehicle was "essentially at a stop".
The aftermath of the five-vehicle crash shows car parts strewn across the A1PAA following unmarked police Volvo, which had earlier reached speeds of 135mph, collided with them at around 80mph.
Lovell added: "From there, there is something of a domino effect, it flips over and then the other police vehicles are also involved.
“I am not in any way trying to excuse – he should not have been driving the vehicle, it is his driving that has led to the incident on the A1. He accepts that by way of his guilty plea."
The seven police officers involved in the accident have been discharged from hospital, with a police spokesperson stating that the two occupants of the BMW had escaped uninjured.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:
- Tesla demand plummets as Elon Musk's 'increasingly divisive influence' impacts sales and causes global protests
- Mini crowned best British car ever made by beating Ford, Vauxhall, Jaguar and more - 'Little doubt!'
- Hydrogen buses forced off roads for 9 months as UK city runs out of fuel - 'We need to know what the story is!'
Two people were arrested in connection to the crash
PA
In a statement posted on social media site X, formerly known as Twitter, Northumbria Police said: "We’d like to thank everyone for their ongoing support as our officers continue to recover from their injuries.
"With legal proceedings live, it’s important everyone refrains from speculating both online and in the community, as it could have a negative impact on the case."
Mazyar Azarbonyad will be sentenced on Tuesday, May 20, at Newcastle Crown Court.
