A personal trainer who admitted dangerous driving on a first date that ended in a police car pile-up has been sentenced to one year and two months in a young offenders’ institution.
Mazyar Azarbonyad, 20, was taking a woman home in the early hours of 9 April when his driving triggered a car chase and eventual crash involving five police cars.
Seven officers ended up in hospital, and one of their cars had its roof torn off in the dramatic collision that left debris strewn across the A1 near Newcastle.
Northumbria Police said while three officers have been able to return to duty, four remain off work.
Pic: PA
Pic: PA
At Newcastle Crown Court in April, Azarbonyad admitted a series of driving offences, including driving without insurance several times after the crash, and failing to stop.
The incident happened after police had tried to stop his powerful BMW in the Whickham area of Gateshead because they were concerned about how it was being driven.
Azarbonyad arriving at Newcastle Crown Court on Monday. Pic: PA
Azarbonyad and his female passenger were both uninjured.
The woman, aged in her 20s, was arrested on suspicion of aiding and abetting dangerous driving but was later told she would face no further action.
However, Northumbria Police said she remains on bail on suspicion of drug possession.
Pic: PA
Defending, solicitor Jack Lovell had told the court the defendant, of Stanley in County Durham, had shown genuine remorse for his actions.
Following the court case, Superintendent Billy Mulligan said: “It is sheer luck that Mazyar Azarbonyad did not kill anyone that day with his reckless actions.
“What should have been a simple stop turned into him driving incredibly dangerously in a bid to get away from officers.
“He showed absolutely zero regard for the safety of anyone else that morning, and his decision-making behind the wheel put lives at risk.”
Superintendent Mulligan praised the bravery of the officers involved in the pursuit and subsequent collision.
He added: “While three officers have been able to return to duty, four of our colleagues remain off work – and I wish them all the best in their recovery.
“They were simply doing their job, protecting the public from the actions of someone who was not even qualified or insured to drive.
“We have a zero-tolerance approach to this type of behaviour, and we are committed to bringing offenders to justice and ensuring our roads are as safe as possible.”
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