Police stop wrong-way A1M driver after chase in Darlington

A banned driver was sentenced after police rammed his car to prevent a wrong-way motorway escape on the A1(M) near Darlington, Teesside Crown Court heard. Matthew Cannings-Kent, 27, had reached 70mph in a 30mph zone while fleeing officers.

According to the court, police were called after reports of erratic driving and false number plates on the A1(M) from North Yorkshire into County Durham. Officers located the vehicle at Faverdale industrial estate at about 23:35 BST and began a pursuit.

Cannings-Kent admitted dangerous driving, driving while disqualified and driving without insurance. He was also found guilty of going equipped for theft after officers discovered gloves and tin snips in his car, items the judge described as commonly linked to acquisitive offending.

Recorder Taryn Turner said the most serious part of the incident was Cannings-Kent attempting to enter the A1(M) in the wrong direction at the A68 junction.

"The most serious feature" was noted by Recorder Taryn Turner during sentencing.

The judge said officers had to act to prevent a severe outcome as the vehicle moved toward the motorway in the wrong direction.

"Catastrophic consequences" were avoided when officers brought the car to a stop, according to the court account.

Turner said Cannings-Kent had created a danger for other road users and described him as an "obvious risk" to law-abiding motorists.

Cannings-Kent was given a 13-month jail sentence suspended for 18 months, ordered to complete 150 hours of unpaid work, pay £500 in court costs and banned from driving for two years.

In a separate A1(M) case, James Johnson, 31, was jailed for eight years at York Crown Court after a high-speed chase involving an Audi A3 that reached more than 130mph. Police said the crash left a taxi driver with serious injuries.

Detective Constable Will Robertson of North Yorkshire Police described Johnson's driving after the collision.

"Johnson showed a blatant disregard for other drivers on what was a very busy road. His car contained a large amount of cocaine, which would have spread further misery in our communities. And his dangerous driving resulted in serious injuries to a taxi driver, and destroyed his means of earning a living - his taxi. Johnson has now been made to face the consequences of his actions." said Detective Constable Will Robertson.