Danger driver arrested by helicopter jump officer
Northumbria PoliceA dangerous driver who fled into a field was arrested by an officer jumping from a police helicopter, a court has heard.
Banned driver Joshua Fellows, 26, led officers on a high-speed 15-minute pursuit in Northumberland in April, during which he narrowly missed multiple collisions with other motorists, Newcastle Crown Court was told.
He abandoned his car after it was damaged by a stinger device and fled on foot, but was quickly caught by an inspector leaping from the force's helicopter.
Fellows was jailed for 10 months after admitting dangerous driving and driving while disqualified.
Having been banned from motoring in 2023 for dangerous driving, Fellows was spotted behind the wheel of a black Mercedes E220 on the A1 in Northumberland at about 15:00 BST on 9 April, prosecutor Joe Cully said.
He refused to stop and drove towards Stamfordham, speeding, driving on the wrong side of the road and narrowly missing several other vehicles, the court heard.
'Fortunate' no-one killed
Fellows, of Eddystone Grove in Amble, carried on even after his tyres had been damaged by a stinger before eventually abandoning the car and running into a field, the court was told.
A police helicopter had followed the entire pursuit and came down to hover to allow an inspector to leap out and chase him down on foot, with Fellows quickly being caught, Mr Cully said.
Judge Tim Gittins said Fellows' driving had been "highly dangerous" and he "should have been nowhere" near a vehicle.
"You are fortunate you neither killed nor seriously injured anyone," the judge said.
Fellows was also banned from driving for four years and five months and must pass an extended test before being able to get a licence.