Young mum injured after Hartlepool danger driver smashed stolen car

Police followed uninsured Jay Marshall, 19, in the centre of Hartlepool when they saw it fishtailing on wet roads in heavy afternoon traffic, prosecutor Sam Faulks told Teesside Crown Court.

In a 10-minute episode, it skidded in Raby Road behind a Ford Transit van and then it hit the front of a red C-Class Mercedes, causing minor injuries to the woman who was a back seat passenger with her baby.

Marshall ran off and into a house, Teesside Crown Court was told.

Police first checked on the woman’s condition and then they arrested him

The court was told he gave a positive test for cocaine and the level was double the legal driving limit.

When interviewed he made no comment.

The car had been taken overnight from the driveway of a Hartlepool woman’s home and Marshall was driving it the next day, October 7, the court heard.

Mr Faulks said: ”One officer said that it had been raining, it was an extremely dangerous bout of driving and it could and have ended with more serious injuries.”

Martin Scarborough, defending, said that Marshall had no previous convictions and the teenager admitted that it was a very bad and dangerous piece of driving which could have been worse for those involved.

He added: ”He should not have been driving, he knew that the car was stolen when he was given it. He had taken the cocaine earlier in the day

”He panicked and drove off making it a lot worse for himself. The pre-sentence report recommends a significant community order.”

Judge Howard Crowson said :”At 19 years old people think themselves grown up but they are not fully mature.

”I would have given you 15 months if I did not think in your favour.”

Marshall, now 20, of Tower Street, Hartlepool, was given a two year community order with 35 days rehabilitation activities, a four months night curfew, was disqualified for two years and until he passes an extended driving test.

He pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, driving over the drug limit, driving with no insurance and without a valid driving licence.

Support your Mail and become a subscriber today. Enjoy unlimited access to local news, the latest football stories and new puzzles every day.

With a digital subscription, you can see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content. Click here to subscribe.