Rogue Hartlepool driver with 'anger management issues' attacked police officer after being Tasered

Lee Lancaster, 31, narrowly avoided immediate jail when he was sentenced at Teesside Crown Court for two sets of offences.

The first was committed early in the lockdown on April 4 when he tried to outrun police at 1am around the Brierton and Rossmere area.

He drove a Vauxhall Corsa at speed through residential areas despite being pursued by a police car with its blue lights flashing, leading to a collision.

Dr Chris Wood, prosecuting, said: “At the junction of Brierton Lane due to the speed he was travelling the offside wheel breaks from the axle causing the motor vehicle to come off the road and collide with the kerb.”

Lancaster got out the car and tried to getaway, but then turned to face the officer, who became fearful for his safety and pulled out a taser.

Dr Wood added: “The officer then deployed the taser causing the defendant to go to the ground.

"Once the taser stopped, having completed its round, the defendant begins to punch out at the officer.”

Lancaster, who the court was told smelled of alcohol, continued grappling with the police officer forcing him to use a pepper-like spray, but Lancaster punched him in the stomach and grabbed his groin.

The officer had to hit him to the side of his head to get him to let go, the court heard.

Lancaster later admitted dangerous driving, assaulting an emergency worker, having no insurance and failing to give a specimen.

Then early on the morning of May 31, Lancaster attended the home of a former partner in the Rift House area.

When she refused to let him in he drove a BMW into her Citroen several times causing significant damage.

"The vehicle was hit with such force that it was moved to face in the wrong direction on to the neighbour’s driveway,” said Dr Wood.

Ten minutes later he went to another woman's house, who considered Lancaster as family, and drove into the front of her car.

He then kicked his way in, went up to her bedroom where she was asleep and threw a bottle of lager at a TV.

It bounced off hitting a teenage girl in the face.

No reason for Lancaster's behaviour was given in court. He admitted two counts of criminal damage, entering a premises by violence and common assault.

Impact statements by the victims said they had been left scared and fearful of what he might do next.

Richard Herrmann, mitigating, said Lancaster acknowledges he has anger management issues and wants to address them.

He spent two and a half months in prison on remand which he described as "a living hell” due to the Covid restrictions.

Lancaster, of Catcote Road, Hartlepool, was given 10 months prison suspended for two years and disqualified from driving for a year.

He was also given 80 hours of unpaid work, nine-month drug rehabilitation order, three-year restraining order and must pay £1,200 compensation.

He told the judge: “I’m willing to abide by everything I need to do to change my ways.”

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