logo
Mum-of-two ‘recovering' after nightmare first date with driver who caused horror A1 crash that left 7 cops in hospital

Mum-of-two ‘recovering' after nightmare first date with driver who caused horror A1 crash that left 7 cops in hospital

The Sun25-05-2025

A YOUNG mum is "recovering" after a nightmare first date with a driver who caused a horror pile-up during a police chase.
Seven cops needed hospital treatment following the high-speed pursuit as personal trainer Mazyar Azarbonyad, 20, attempted to flee - all with his date Courtney Redfern, 27, in the passenger seat.
8
8
8
8
Police pulled over Iranian-born Azarbonyad's BMW M5 in Gateshead, Tyne and Wear, in the early hours of April 9 as he drove home.
Mum-of-two Courtney urged him to stop before he led cops on a pursuit through the town and onto the A1 towards Newcastle.
Four police cars - with the support of a helicopter - were able to box in the BMW, bringing it to a halt.
However, another unmarked police Volvo smashed into the stationary vehicles on the carriageway near the Derwent Haugh Road junction at 80mph at 2.27am.
Courtney and Azarbonyad managed to come out of the crash with only minor injuries.
Shocking pictures from the scene show the mangled police cars - as well as the unmarked black car on its side.
None of the officers suffered life-threatening injuries, according to Northumbria Police.
An unnamed source told the MailOnline: "There was a great deal of trauma for Courtney and her family as a result of what happened.
"It was a first date and no one could have expected an outcome like that from what should have been an ordinary evening out.
"It's fortunate that no one was killed when looking at the wreckage left behind, it was all anyone who saw it could talk about.
"She's recovering but it was obviously a major shock."
Appearing at Newcastle Magistrates' Court on April 19, Azarbonyad pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, failing to stop twice and having no licence and no insurance during the crash.
He also admitted a series of other driving offences, including driving without insurance or a licence four times after the collision in breach of his bail conditions.
He was due to be sentenced today over the crash but was the case was adjourned until June 2 after he contested a previous conviction.
The court was told he accrued eight penalty points for driving with no licence or insurance on September 16 2023, but Azarbonyad claimed to have no knowledge of the conviction, reports the Mail.
Azarbonyad was given bail on the condition he does not drive his vehicle.
Courtney was also arrested on suspicion of aiding and abetting dangerous driving but was later told she faced no further action.
After the collision, Supt Michelle Caisley, from Northumbria Police, said: 'Firstly, we want to wish all the officers who have been involved in the collision a full recovery.
'We would also thank all those who attended the scene, including our colleagues from Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service and the North East Ambulance Service."
Do you know more? Email ryan.merrifield@thesun.co.uk
8
8
8
8

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Ballymena riots latest: Fire started 'after vandalism' at leisure centre as disorder breaks out for third night in row in N Ireland
Ballymena riots latest: Fire started 'after vandalism' at leisure centre as disorder breaks out for third night in row in N Ireland

Sky News

time42 minutes ago

  • Sky News

Ballymena riots latest: Fire started 'after vandalism' at leisure centre as disorder breaks out for third night in row in N Ireland

21:47:04 Leisure centre on fire 'temporarily housed people from Ballymena' Reports in Ireland suggest the leisure centre said to be targeted by vandals tonight - see 20.59 - may have housed people moved from Ballymena, though this has not been verified. DUP politician Gordon Lyons posted on Facebook earlier today "a number of individuals were temporarily moved to Larne Lesiure Centre... following disturbances in Ballymena". "It has now been confirmed to us by the PSNI and Council that all these individuals are in the care of the Housing Executive and have been moved out of Larne," he added. "Protesting is of course a legitimate right but violence is not and I would encourage everyone to remain peaceful." The Irish Independent said it is understood there is nobody currently inside the Leisure Centre. 21:14:01 'Force will be used against violent individuals', police warn crowd In Ballymena, police have gathered to deter any rioters planing disorder for a third night in a row. Our team is there now, where a crowd has been told to move away. A warning played via speakers tells them they should be "dispersed immediately". It then warns "force will be used against violent individuals". 20:59:56 Fire breaks out in town east of Ballymena A fire has reportedly broken out at a leisure centre in another town in the same county as Ballymena. Footage on social media shows masked individuals smashing windows and setting fires outside in Larne. The map below shows where Larne is, about 20 miles east of Ballymena in County Antrim. Local Alliance MLA Danny Donnelly said the leisure centre "has been attacked by masked thugs". "Windows smashed and fires lit nearby," he posted on social media. "Larne does not need this." 20:59:01 In pictures: Police brace for further rioting More pictures now from the scene in Ballymena, where police are preparing for another night of rioting. 20:46:01 Entire rows of houses displaying 'locals live here' signs We've already brought you reports of residents in Ballymena displaying signs in their windows about their nationality - in an attempt to avoid rioters targeting their homes. Now, our team on the ground bring us pictures of entire rows of homes displaying signs. Our correspondent Connor Gillies explains that these signs look organised, as they are all of the same design, printed on yellow paper with black lettering in caps saying "Locals live here". Some homes with the signs in their windows also have the Northern Irish flag or the Union flag, too. 20:30:01 More police arrive with shields and helmets We reported in the post below that the police presence in Ballymena is growing. The picture below, from the last few minutes, gives you an idea of the units now taking formation. Several vans have arrived, blocking off a street as more officers line up equipped with riot gear. 20:16:48 Significant police presence in Ballymena A brief update from Connor Gillies, our reporter on the ground in Northern Ireland. He says he's just arrived in Ballymena for the evening, where there is a significant police presence. We'll bring you more updates as we get them. 20:09:01 'I deplore the thuggery' More political reaction now, with former SDLP leader Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick reacting to the violence. She said earlier: "I deplore the thuggery and the racist violence in Ballymena over the last two days, where there were attacks on the police service of Northern Ireland and on ethnic minorities." Violence condemned 'unequivocally' DUP peer Lord Weir of Ballyholme added: "Can I join with others in commending the efforts and the bravery of the police and the other emergency services in dealing [with the] situation of the last 48 hours, and also unreservedly and unequivocally condemn the violence that has taken place in Ballymena. "Whatever the underlying issues that are there in Ballymena, nothing can ever justify the thuggery that is being perpetrated there." 19:45:01 Aftermath of 'ugly' night of 'racially motivated' violence - and how it all began Police say the violence this week in Ballymena is "clearly racially motivated". Connor Gillies explains it all began with a vigil for a teenage girl who was the victim of an alleged sexual assault. Two teenage boys, from Romania, have appeared in court connected to that investigation. Officers say the vigil was hijacked by a planned anti-immigration mob. Watch below as Gillies runs through the origins of the riots, and looks at the homes devastated by violence.

Mortar discovered at scene of fatal Sandhurst property fire
Mortar discovered at scene of fatal Sandhurst property fire

BBC News

timean hour ago

  • BBC News

Mortar discovered at scene of fatal Sandhurst property fire

Decommissioned mortar and flammable chemicals have been found at the scene of a fire where a man died. A man in his 80s was airlifted to hospital with what proved to be fatal injuries after the blaze at a property on Oak Avenue in Sandhurst, Berkshire, on Friday. Police and fire crews remained at the scene to carry out investigations and discovered the mortar - which a specialist team has now safely destroyed - during a search of the site on Tuesday. The force, which said it was also working on removing the chemicals, said the death was being investigated as unexplained but was not believed to be suspicious. Det Supt Andrew Penrith, of Thames Valley Police, said: "This was a sad incident and our thoughts are with the family of the man who died." 'Priority is safety' He added: "Yesterday during searches of the property as part of the investigation officers found what was thought to be a decommissioned mortar."The [explosive ordnance disposal team] attended yesterday as a precaution and disposed of the mortar."Additionally some flammable and potentially hazardous chemicals have been located and we are working to remove these safely."Our priority is the safety of the wider public and those attending the scene. We do not believe there is a wider danger to the public, and evacuation of residents is not required."Officers and other agencies are likely to be at the property for some time to make sure the property is safe."There is no ongoing criminal investigation".The coroner has been informed. You can follow BBC Berkshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.

Rioters torch cars and attack police in Salford
Rioters torch cars and attack police in Salford

Telegraph

timean hour ago

  • Telegraph

Rioters torch cars and attack police in Salford

A 16-year-old girl has been arrested on suspicion of assaulting a police officer after riot police tackled 'serious disorder' in Greater Manchester. There were reports of cars being set alight and bricks being thrown during the disturbance in Salford. Around 60 youths gathered on Lower Broughton Road at about 1.30pm on Wednesday, using cars and wheelie bins to block off the road. There were reports of vehicles being stolen, damaged and burnt out, motorbikes being used and bricks thrown at officers, Greater Manchester Police said.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store