Driver admits causing serious injury after crashing stolen car into care home
Two elderly residents at Highcliffe Care Home, Witherwack, Sunderland, died following the crash which happened last month.
Sam Asgari-Tabar, of no fixed address, appeared before Newcastle Crown Court where he admitted robbery, relating to stealing a BMW 3-series, and causing serious injury by dangerous driving to a resident who suffered spinal fractures.
He denied a charge of kidnapping a woman who was in the BMW which he was test driving.
The Crown Prosecution Service asked the court for more time to consider whether those pleas were acceptable.
Co-accused Ryan Parish, 21, of Fordham Road, Sunderland, did not enter pleas to charges of robbery and kidnap, also relating to the BMW and the test drive.
Northumbria Police were alerted to reports of a stolen car in Fenham, Newcastle, on the evening of July 10 and a suspect vehicle was spotted in the Sunderland area 15 minutes later.
A pursuit then followed which ended with the BMW crashing into the care home, causing extensive structural damage to the building.
Initially, Northumbria Police said eight residents required hospital treatment.
Two days later, the force said a woman in her 90s and a woman in her 80s, neither of whom were in the eight taken to hospital, had died and police inquiries were ongoing.
The pair will appear again before Newcastle Crown Court on August 19 and Judge Carolyn Scott told Parish he must enter pleas on that occasion.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
8 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Traveller site in Darlington park told to move on, council says, as caravans pitched
A traveller site set up in a Darlington park will be told to move on, the council has said. Caravans and vans were seen in North Park over the weekend, near the football pitches. Darlington Borough Council confirmed it is aware of the situation and has begun the legal process to remove the encampment. A spokesperson said: 'We are aware of the encampment and will be serving notice to request that they move. "However, under the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act, we have to give them reasonable time to vacate the site and then proceed through the courts.'Caravans and other vehicles on North Park, Darlington (Image: NORTHERN ECHO) Caravans and other vehicles on North Park, Darlington (Image: NORTHERN ECHO) While the council has not confirmed a timeline, it is understood a formal notice will be served imminently. One resident, who wished to remain anonymous, said.'It's intimidating. The kids don't want to go there anymore,' 'We just want our park back.'
Yahoo
8 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Dozens support County Durham bar's bid to reopen after stabbing incident
Dozens of supporters have backed a County Durham bar, which lost its licence, ahead of a crucial meeting. The future of Aviator Sports and Live Lounge, Newton Aycliffe, will be determined by a Durham County Council committee on Wednesday (August 13) after an alleged double stabbing incident in July. Staff at the Aviator are accused of misleading the police, not ringing the emergency services, and interfering with a crime scene. However, the venue denied obstructing the investigation and said the incident did not occur on its property. A hearing was told there have been no previous crime and disorder incidents. 56 letters of support have been sent to Durham County Council ahead of the meeting, praising the venue's positive impact within the local community. Customers also praised the ability to watch live sports, play darts, and watch live music. Andrew Lovegreen said: 'The Aviator offers something special to Newton Aycliffe: a well-run, inclusive space that gives people the chance to come together through sport, music, food, and friendship. 'These are the kinds of venues that help towns thrive, and we're lucky to have it.' Staff previously warned that closing the Aviator could have a 'catastrophic' effect on the venue's future and its employees' jobs. Jevan Leight, a member of the management staff, said: 'I've seen firsthand just how important this venue is—not only to the local community, but to the many people whose livelihoods depend on it, myself included. 'Aviator is my only source of income, but it is also so much more than a workplace. It's a one-of-a-kind venue that brings people together in a way no other local establishment does.' Other parents lauded the venue's family-friendly approach. Recommended reading: Aviator bar in Newton Aycliffe to remain closed County Durham venue's licence reinstated after brawl where pool cue 'snapped' Incinerator bosses vow to be a 'good neighbour' amid waste site health concerns The police application to review the premises licence was supported by Durham Safeguarding Children Partnership and the county council's Adult and Health Services. One person against a new licence said: 'We don't need another establishment where decent people are assaulted and have to continuously look over [their] shoulder and ultimately risk further deaths.' Durham County Council's licensing committee will determine whether no further action is required, modify or add conditions to the license, remove the designated premises supervisor, suspend the licence for a maximum of three months, or revoke it altogether.
Yahoo
8 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Injured man taken to hospital after incident as three streets taped off by police
An injured man has been taken to hospital following an incident - with police standing guard at three taped-off streets. Police, paramedics, and an air ambulance were called to Hemlington on Monday (August 11) after reports of an injured man just before 5.30pm. Three cordons were erected across the Middlesbrough estate; outside a home on Cass House Road, the second on Fonteyn Court, and the third Dodford Road. It has not yet been confirmed whether all three scenes are linked. The North East Ambulance (NEAS) said they took the man, who was suffering from injuries to his shoulder and head, to hospital by road. Police in Hemlington (Image: TERRY BLACKBURN) Police taped off the road (Image: TERRY BLACKBURN) Police on Fonteyn Court (Image: TERRY BLACKBURN) His condition remains unknown. A large police presence has remained in Hemlington since around 5.30pm, with several police cars pictures along Fonteyn Court and officers seen standing guard on both Cass House Road and Dodford Road. Police standing guard outside a home on Cass House Road (Image: TERRY BLACKBURN) Police on Dodford Road (Image: TERRY BLACKBURN) The nature of the incident is not currently known - and The Northern Echo has contacted Cleveland Police for further details. A spokesperson for NEAS said: "We were called just before 5.25pm today (11 Aug) to assist a man suffering from injuries to his shoulder and head. "We dispatched the air ambulance and a paramedic crew to the Hemlington area of Middlesbrough. The patient was treated on scene before being taken to hospital by road."
