Garage burglars led police on stolen car pursuits

Johnson, of Roker Avenue, used his car to ram through a barrier and, pursued by police, headed on to the A690, the court was told.

He pulled into the car park at Ramside Hall Hotel to close the bonnet, which had flown up in the barricade crash, then rammed a police car to get back out on to the road.

Johnson then drove the wrong way up a dual carriageway before crashing into trees, ran on to the A19 where he narrowly missed being hit by a car and was found hiding in bushes by a police drone, Mr Jones said.

Pemberton, of Edward Burdis Street, drove the van directly at an officer, who had to jump out of the way, before ramming through a barrier and out on to the A690 towards Sunderland, the court heard.

Officers could see smoke coming from the van and a tyre appeared to be shredded during the 15 minute, nine mile-long (14km) pursuit, before police blocked it in and arrested Pemberton, the court heard.

Several officers suffered minor injuries when their vehicles were struck by the stolen vehicles, Mr Jones said.