Two men admit stealing BMW during test drive before it crashed into dementia care home - with two elderly residents dying a day later
A woman in her 80s and another in her 90s died the day after the incident when they were evacuated to another care home due to the amount of damage caused in the incident.
Eight people were taken to hospital following the crash at Highcliffe Care Home, Sunderland, on July 10 with one resident suffering spinal fractures.
At Newcastle Crown Court earlier today, Reece Parish, 21, of Sunderland, appeared via videolink from HMP Durham to admit robbery in relation to the stolen BMW 3-series.
He pleaded not guilty to the kidnapping of a woman selling the vehicle who was still in the car when it was stolen. The Crown Prosecution Service indicated it would not proceed with the charge.
His co-accused, Sam Asgari-Tabar, also 21, had earlier pleaded guilty to robbery and causing serious injury by dangerous driving. The men were not charged in relation to the deaths of the two elderly residents.
They will be sentenced on October 17 and were remanded in custody.
Judge Robert Spragg told the men: 'You have both very sensibly pleaded guilty to these matters and you will be given credit for that from the sentencing judge in due course.'
Photographs taken at the scene shortly after the crash showed the extent of damage caused to the care home, with an entire wall obliterated and furniture visible from the street.
At an earlier hearing, the court was told that a BMW 3-series had been reported stolen from an address in Fenham, Newcastle, at around 9.20pm during a test drive.
Officers located the vehicle and following a short pursuit it crashed into the care home around 15 minutes later.
At the time of the crash, Asgari-Tabar was the subject of a suspended sentence – imposed in May – after attacking three members of his own family while high on drink and drugs.
Christopher Knox, defending Parish, said: 'My client is very regretful and apologetic and wants it to be know that is his view at this stage.'
Speaking after the case, Chief Superintendent Mark Hall, of Northumbria Police, said: 'This was a shocking incident in one of our communities – the actions of both men that night were incredibly reckless.
'I am pleased the swift and diligent work of all involved in our investigation left them with no choice but to admit their guilt at court.'
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