Banned driver led police on high speed chase in Hartlepool after failing to stop

Other cars were forced to take evasive action to avoid a collision due to the driving of Nabaz Ezzat.

He was behind the wheel of a BMW despite being banned from a similar driving conviction seven years ago after failing to take an extended retest.

On October 8 last year, Ezzat, 37, panicked and made off from police on Raby Road when a police check showed the car was registered and insured to a woman.

Johnathan Walker, prosecuting at Teesside Crown Court, said: “The police vehicle followed the defendant. The defendant attempted to distance himself and then made off at speed.

"On Easington Road, the defendant sped at 53 miles per hour in a 30 zone.”

Ezzat crossed lanes suddenly in front of another vehicle then crossed onto the other side of the dual carriageway.

Mr Walker added: “He was followed but failed to give way causing a vehicle to force to stop in order to avoid a collision.”

Members of the public also had to move out of the way on Winterbottom Avenue as police followed at 73mph.

Ezzat stopped in Bruntoft Avenue where he lives and where he was arrested.

He pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, having no insurance, driving whilst disqualified, and failure to stop by a constable before magistrates.

Ezzat was jailed for eight months and banned in October 2013 for dangerous driving in Sunderland when he reached speeds of 123mph and crashed into a wall.

Sentencing for the new offences was adjourned for a week as he arrived at the crown court with an apparent chest infection.

Paul Rooney, defending, said in mitigation: “He puts forward no excuse for his dangerous driving. His instructions are that he simply panicked because he knew that he didn’t have any insurance on the vehicle.

"Through me he wishes to apologise and express his sincere remorse at his actions.”

Adjourning sentence, Judge Stephen Ashurst told Ezzat: “You must understand that all sentencing options at this court remain open.

"That will include an immediate prison sentence.”

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