A personal trainer, out on a first date, admitted to dangerous driving leading to a massive crash following a police pursuit on the A1. The incident left seven officers injured and five police vehicles badly damaged. Mazyar Azarbonyad, 20, appeared in court at Newcastle Magistrates’ Court where he pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, failing to stop twice, and driving with no licence and no insurance during the collision on April 9. Despite this, he continued to drive while on bail.
During the court hearing, Azarbonyad admitted to his dangerous driving actions and was granted conditional bail until his sentencing next month. The court heard that police initially attempted to stop his powerful BMW in Swalwell, Gateshead, due to a defective rear light, but he accelerated away. As he approached the A1, a pursuit ensued, leading to a serious collision near the Denton roundabout, a notorious location where Raoul Moat shot Pc David Rathband in 2010.
Following the crash, Azarbonyad was questioned by the police and granted bail, but just two days later, he was caught driving a red Hyundai multiple times despite warnings not to drive, lack of a licence, and insurance. The prosecutor highlighted Azarbonyad’s reckless behaviour, pointing out his failure to learn from the seriousness of the previous incident. Despite being plastered all over the media, he chose to disregard the law and drive again.
The defense attorney acknowledged Azarbonyad’s remorse for his actions, claiming he had made foolish decisions in getting back behind the wheel. His lawyer cited his client’s background as a self-employed personal trainer without any prior criminal record, highlighting his independence since coming to the UK from Iran as a teenager. Azarbonyad expressed panic when approached by the police, aware of his lack of insurance and his date’s possession of cannabis.
The court was informed that Azarbonyad eventually slowed down on the A1 and gestured to indicate braking before a collision occurred with an unmarked police vehicle. This led to a chain reaction involving other police cars. The defense emphasized that Azarbonyad takes responsibility for the incident and expressed regret through his guilty plea. Despite bail being granted, Azarbonyad was restricted from driving and placed under a curfew until his sentencing at Newcastle Crown Court in May.
The chairman of the bench imposed strict conditions on Azarbonyad to ensure public safety. These included a prohibition on driving any vehicle and a mandatory curfew from 10 pm to 8 am at his residence. The defendant’s sentencing will take place next month to determine the consequences of his dangerous driving actions. The episode serves as a reminder of the importance of road safety and responsible driving practices to avoid endangering lives and causing significant damage.