Stockton biker who killed man in Peterlee police chase jailed
A banned biker who killed his passenger in a crash while trying to evade police has been jailed for 11 years.David Stewart reached speeds of 100mph and drove on the wrong side of the road during a minute-and-a-half-long pursuit before crashing on a roundabout in Peterlee, Durham Crown Court heard.His passenger Lee Stevenson, a 27-year-old father of two, was killed instantly.Stewart, 34, who was banned from driving at the time having had a string of motoring convictions, initially blamed Mr Stevenson for the crash but later admitted causing death by dangerous driving.
Stewart and Mr Stevenson had been drinking and taking drugs including cocaine on the night of 25 March 2023, prosecutor John Crawford said.They were both urged by Mr Stevenson's uncle not to get on Stewart's Kawasaki Ninja ZX-12R due to their intoxication but, at about 02:00 BST, they went out on the bike, the court heard.
Stewart, of George Stephenson Boulevard in Stockton, Teesside, was wearing a helmet but Mr Stevenson was not, the court heard.Due to a spate of motorbike thefts in the area, police started following the bike at about 02:30.When officers activated their blue lights, Stewart, also a father of two, drove away at speed, reaching 100mph, going the wrong way around roundabouts and on the opposite side of the road in a bid to escape, Mr Crawford said.After about 90 seconds he crashed on a roundabout in Passfield Way, smashing into a chevron sign, the court heard.Mr Stevenson was declared dead at the scene and Stewart spent several weeks in hospital.Stewart was over the drug driving limit for cocaine and also had alcohol in his system, the court heard.
'No feelings for killer'
Mr Stevenson's mother Naomi Stevenson told the court the crash had "ruined" the family's lives.She said her son was a "larger than life character" and his death had "left a massive hole in our lives".Mrs Stevenson said she did not like to leave her home any more, adding: "I don't want people to look at me as a mother who has lost her son."She said her grandchildren would have to grow up without their dad but Stewart would still get to be with his family upon his release."I have no feelings for David Stewart," Mrs Stevenson told the court, adding: "He has to live with his actions and decisions."She said: "Lee is my first thought, my last and all my thoughts in between."
'Extreme risks'
The court heard Stewart had a long history of driving offences, including for drink and dangerous driving, the latter involving another police pursuit while he had passengers in his car. He had also ignored multiple driving bans, one of which was in force when he killed Mr Stevenson.Stewart initially claimed Mr Stevenson had been driving the bike but changed his plea a month before he was due to stand trial, the court heard.In mitigation, the court heard Stewart was "really sorry", could not remember the crash and had been "lucky to survive".Judge Joanne Kidd said the crash was the "culmination of nine years of dangerous and poor driving" where Stewart had "shown a total disregard for the safety of other road users".She said he had no licence or insurance at the time of the crash and was "in no state to drive", adding the "terrible fatality" was "part of a consistent pattern" of Stewart's awful driving and willingness to take "extreme risks".Stewart, who wept throughout the hearing, was also banned from driving for 20 and a half years.
Follow BBC North East on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram. Send your story ideas here.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Belfast Telegraph
3 hours ago
- Belfast Telegraph
PSNI probing keyless car theft after Land Rover stolen from driveway
Police said the incident happened at a house in the Killeen Road area. PSNI Detective Sergeant Stewart said: 'It was reported that sometime between eight pm on Saturday 7th June, and 8.30am yesterday, Sunday 8th June, a white Land Rover Discovery was taken from the driveway of a property in the Killeen Road area. 'We would appeal to anyone who may have noticed suspicious behaviour in the area, or who may have captured relevant doorbell or CCTV footage, to make contact with police on 101, quoting reference 396 of 08/06/25. 'We would also appeal to anyone who may have seen a vehicle matching the above description, or been offered it for sale in suspicious circumstances, to contact us.' Detective Sergeant Stewart continued: 'If you are a keyless car owner, we would remind you of the following advice to help prevent you becoming a victim of theft. 'When at home, please keep your car key (and spare key) away from the car, doors and windows. 'Put your keys in a signal-blocking pouch, such as a Faraday Bag. 'Turn off wireless signals on your fob when it's not being used. 'Use a steering wheel lock or car alarm. 'Park in your garage overnight. If you don't have a garage park as close to your home as possible.'
STV News
a day ago
- STV News
Concerns grow for missing girl, 13, last seen boarding train
Concerns are growing for a missing girl who was last seen boarding a train in Glasgow. Ava Stewart, from Kilmarnock, was last seen on Friday at around 1.35pm boarding a train at Glasgow Central Station. Officers believe the 13-year-old may have travelled to Birmingham. Police describe Ms Stewart as around 4ft11 in height, and of a slim build with long brown hair. She was last seen wearing white tracksuit bottoms, a grey crop top, a blue denim jacket and blue/cream Nike Air Jordan trainers. The teen also has a lip and nose piercing and has a coloboma feature in her left eye. Police Scotland is urging anyone with information regarding her whereabouts to come forward. Sergeant Lana Grant said: 'Concerns are growing for Ava and it is important we make sure she is safe and well. 'We are asking anyone who has seen her or has any information on her whereabouts to please get in touch. 'Anyone who can help is asked to call Police Scotland on 101, quoting reference number 3105 of June 6, 2025.' Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
The Courier
6 days ago
- The Courier
Tuesday court round-up — Break-ups driving crime
A telecoms engineer who drunkenly crashed his car in Dundee city centre is set to lose his job after being banned from the road. was found to be more than three times the limit after he called police to sayhe had crashed his BMW 335 on May 11. A 'distinct' smell of alcohol was noted by officers who approached McPherson while he was behind the wheel. The 27-year-old, of Buttars Loan, pled guilty at Dundee Sheriff Court to driving with excess alcohol (77mics/ 22) on East Marketgait roundabout near the exit to Seagate. Solicitor John Boyle said McPherson had been drinking heavily after his 12-year relationship came to an end. He told Sheriff John Rafferty. 'There will be significant consequences. 'He is a telecoms engineer and has a main base of Glasgow and the Central Belt. Driving is essential and he will be losing that employment.' McPherson was disqualified from driving for 16 months and fined £540. A sheriff banned a man from driving after he was found staggering around a Fife road on the day his wife told him their marriage was over. , 51, refused to comply with breath tests after police were deployed to the Wormit area on May 6. Officers were contacted after members of the public saw Wills ditch his van and walk away in a 'confused state'. Wills, of Gauldry, was found staggering in the road by police who detected a strong smell of alcohol from his breath. He pled guilty to failing to provide a specimen of breath at Dundee's police headquarters. 'He had been notified by his wife that day that she was leaving the home,' solicitor John Boyle said. 'That news came as a shock to him and accepted he had consumed alcohol in a considerable quantity. He is very apologetic for his behaviour.' Sheriff John Rafferty disqualified Wills from driving for 20 months and fined him a total of £706. A garage boss whose car flipped after he dangerously overtook a bus before a bend in Fife is facing a jail sentence. Disqualified driver was injured after the botched manoeuvre on the A917 between Drumeldrie and Colinsburgh on May 30. Stewart – who runs a service garage in Colinsburgh – was driving a Volkswagen Eos convertible at around 7.20am when he overtook a bus before a bend. He was unable to see oncoming traffic and drove onto the opposite carriageway and into the path of another car. The 37-year-old attempted to swerve back onto the right side of the road but left the carriageway after failing to control his vehicle. Repeat offender Stewart's car overturned and he suffered an injury as a result. Appearing from custody at Dundee Sheriff Court, Stewart, of Kennoway, pled guilty to dangerous driving and failing to cooperate with preliminary breath and drugs tests. Solicitor David Duncan said the same tests, conducted after Stewart had been discharged from Ninewells Hospital, produced negative results. The lawyer said: 'There's a background of personal difficulties rather than simply a wilful disregard. 'There's been the breakdown of a relationship which has led to an associated alcohol difficulty.' Sheriff John Rafferty remanded Stewart in custody until sentencing in July for reports to be prepared. He said: 'I am of the view that public safety would not be protected if I were to grant you bail.' A van driver who knocked down a pedestrian at Scone Airport, leaving him seriously injured, has been sentenced to unpaid work as a direct alternative to custody. Perth Sheriff Court heard did not realise he had struck the struck the 61-year-old coffin factory worker until he stopped his Renault Trafic and saw his victim lying on the road. A teenager allegedly crashed into other vehicles during a high-speed police chase across Dundee, before being found with an axe in his car. allegedly drove dangerously across the West End and Hawkhill areas on June 1 before the Saab 9-3 he was driving was brought to a halt on Dock Street. It is alleged the 18-year-old failed to give way at a roundabout and drove into the path of an oncoming vehicle, forcing the driver to take evasive action. Morrell is accused of repeatedly driving at excessive speeds, dangerously overtaking preceding vehicles, failing to maintain lane discipline and repeatedly failing to stop at a red light. Court papers allege the teenager deliberately caused his vehicle to collide with a stationary Audi A4 and a Peugeot Boxer van in order to evade police. On A991 Dock Street, Morrell was allegedly found with an axe and cannabis. Separate charges allege he failed to stop for police, drove without a licence, drove without insurance and failed to provide a blood sample for analysis. A final allegation states Morrell, of Balunie Street, made threatening remarks towards officers while at police headquarters on West Bell Street. Morrell made no plea when he appeared from custody at Dundee Sheriff Court and was committed for further examination and remanded.
