Drunk Joyrider Flips Partner’s Car After High-Speed Police Chase

14 August 2018, 14:39 | Updated: 28 October 2019, 15:21

A drunk joyrider flipped his partner’s car after leading police on a dangerous high-speed chase.

Darren Lee has been jailed for 12 months following the pursuit across Newcastle in July.

The 43-year-old led officers on a police chase which hit speeds of 85 mph.

Earlier in the night he had stolen his partner's Vauxhall Tigra following a family house party.

Police managed to surround the vehicle on the A1 - but Lee tried to escape and lost control of the vehicle.

Dash-cam footage captured the dramatic moment he flipped the car over.

Lee was not seriously injured in the event and was charged with a string of driving offences.

He admitted dangerous driving, aggravated vehicle taking, having no insurance and driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence.

The 43-year-old of Eshott Court, East Denton, Newcastle was jailed earlier this week.

He was also banned from driving for four years.

Motor Patrols Inspector, Ian Dey, said: "This driving was incredibly reckless and even more dangerous when you consider that this man had been drinking.

"Not only did he put his own life at risk when he got behind the wheel of that car but he also endangered our officers and other road users.

"The footage is quite shocking and he is incredibly lucky that he was able to walk away from the crash without any serious injuries.

"He will now spend the next year behind bars and has also been handed an extended driving ban to keep him off the road.”