A 20-year-old man, Mazyar Azarbonyad, has pleaded guilty to charges of dangerous driving following a high-speed police chase that resulted in injuries to seven officers. The incident unfolded in the early hours of April 9 when Azarbonyad was driving a BMW while transporting a woman home after what was described as a date.

The pursuit took place along the northbound carriageway of the A1, specifically near junction 75 and the Denton Burn roundabout, located close to Newcastle. Eyewitness accounts and photographs from the scene revealed the aftermath of the crash, highlighting the extensive damage inflicted upon four marked police vehicles and an unmarked police car that ended up on its side.

Emergency services responded swiftly, transporting seven police officers to the hospital. Fortunately, their injuries were reported to be non-life-threatening. However, this serious incident necessitated the closure of the road for several hours, prompting Newcastle Airport to advise travelers to factor in additional time for their journeys due to the disruptions caused by the crash.

During a court session at Newcastle magistrates court, it was revealed that the woman accompanying Azarbonyad was on her first date with him at the time of the incident. Following the crash, Azarbonyad faced multiple charges. His legal troubles deepened as he admitted not only to the charge of dangerous driving but also to failing to stop for police, driving without insurance, and driving without a valid license. Alarmingly, he had committed these driving offences on four separate occasions post-crash, in direct violation of bail conditions that prohibited him from driving.

One notable breach involved Azarbonyad operating a Hyundai i10 to commute to his job at a gym located in Newcastle city center, demonstrating a blatant disregard for the legal restrictions placed upon him following his initial arrest.

In connection with the incident, a woman in her twenties was also arrested on suspicion of aiding and abetting Azarbonyad's dangerous driving. However, she has since been released without any further action regarding that particular charge. Nonetheless, she remains on police bail as investigations continue into possible drug possession offences.