Man drove car at pair who started fire at his home
Northumbria PoliceA man who drove his car at two men who started a fire outside his home, then later sped through a red light to get to a beach to see in the new year, has been jailed.
Anthony Cocking, 56, attempted to ram two men who had set a bin alight outside his Sunderland home in September 2022, Newcastle Crown Court heard.
On New Year's Eve that year, he was pursued by police after going through the red light.
Cocking, who admitted two counts of dangerous driving and was found guilty of attempting to intentionally cause grievous bodily harm, was jailed for five years and four months.
On 17 September 2022, two men started a fire in the road outside Cocking's St Leonard Street home and set a bin alight behind his house, prosecutor Helen Towers said.
In revenge, Cocking drove at the fleeing men three times before crashing into a wall, after which he got out and repeatedly kicked one of the men in the head as the victim lay on the floor, the court heard.
Judge Sarah Mallett said there had been "some history" between the men but it was "not completely clear" what that was.
'Gave police thumbs up'
At about 23:55 on 31 December 2022, police saw Cocking's car go through a red light as it made its way towards Roker, Ms Towers said.
A pursuit began in which Cocking exceeded the 30mph limit and left officers struggling to keep up, the court heard.
He was eventually stopped at Marine Walk in Roker where he gave officers a thumbs up.
Cocking, who had a history of violent offending, claimed he did not know police were following him and he had been in a hurry to get to the beach to celebrate the new year, Ms Towers said.
He was also banned from driving for five years.