Latest news with #MazyarAzarbonyad
Daily Mirror
4 days ago
- Daily Mirror
Van drives wrong way down dual carriageway in horrifying police chase footage
Police have released shocking footage showing officers pursue a van through a major UK city as it drives the wrong way along a dual carriageway and runs a red light Dramatic dashcam footage shows a van driving through a city's suburbs while being chased by police. The van was spotted by officers with its lights off in the early hours of Thursday, June 26, before being pulled over. As officers got out of their car to speak to the driver, the van sped off down Wigman Road in the Bilborough area of Nottingham. A six-minute pursuit followed as he was pursued to the Basford area of the city. In an attempt to evade officers, the driver did a lap around a set of garages, swerved across the road and went the wrong way around a roundabout. The driver is also seen running a red light in the footage released by Nottinghamshire Police, before turning onto the A6514 Western Boulevard. At this point in the police chase, the van was damaged and seen travelling 600 metres along the wrong side of the dual carriageway. Sparks could be seen flying from the van after tyres popped during the pursuit before turning off the dual carriageway. He then abandoned the vehicle and tried to flee the scene. Officers arrested a 34-year-old man on suspicion of dangerous driving and failing to stop. A bag of cocaine was also found inside the van. As a result, the man was later arrested on suspicion of drug driving and possession of class A drugs, NottinghamshireLive reports. Inspector Chris Chell, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: "As I've said, thankfully because it was in the early hours of the morning, the roads weren't busy, otherwise this could've led to a very serious accident. "By trailing the van from a safe distance, the officers in pursuit ensured this didn't happen and arrested a suspect soon afterwards, so they deserve a lot of credit for their efforts." Earlier this year the Mirror reported on Mazyar Azarbonyad, 20, who pleaded guilty to dangerous driving after seven police officers were injured in a huge pile up in a pile up on the A1 involving five police vehicles and a car. He also pleaded guilty to driving without insurance and a licence several times after the horrific crash. The Iran-born defendant, who came to the UK in around 2020, was behind the wheel of a powerful BMW which was being pursued by police along the A1 near the Gateshead and Newcastle border at around 2.30am on April 9 when the collision occurred. The crash happened near the Derwent Haugh Road junction, on the borders of Gateshead and Newcastle, at 2.27am on April 9. The Northumbria force said seven officers were taken to hospital with what it described as non-life threatening injuries. They have all since been discharged. A spokesman said the two occupants of a BMW, which was being pursued at the time, were uninjured.
Daily Mirror
16-06-2025
- Daily Mirror
Britain's worst hotspots for dangerous driving - see how your area compares
Cops in England and Wales logged more than 6,200 crime reports of dangerous driving in 2024, including 937 offences that caused a death or serious injury - 8 per cent up on the previous year A new map highlights where the nation's most dangerous drivers are. The figures, taken from Home Office data, show the parts of the country where people should beware reckless motorists. Cops in England and Wales logged more than 6,200 crime reports of dangerous driving in 2024, including 937 offences that caused a death or serious injury. That is an 8 per cent increase from the previous year, with 504 more dangerous driving offences, including an additional 67 causing death or serious injury. The figures show that the chances of encountering a dangerous driver vary depending on where in the country you live. The risk is highest in parts of the North, particularly in West Yorkshire and Greater Manchester with Bradford getting the dubious honour of being crowned dangerous driving capital of England and Wales. The news comes just weeks after the notorious A1 first date crash which saw a huge pile up on a dual carriageway in which five police cars crashed and seven officers were injured on the borders of Gateshead and Newcastle. Mazyar Azarbonyad, 20, appeared in court following the smash which occurred after officers attempted to stop a dark grey BMW M Sport in the Whickham area of Gateshead at about 2am, sparking a high speed chase. In the three years to the end of 2024, police recorded 1,017 crimes of dangerous driving there, including 47 that caused a death or serious injury. While Leeds had more dangerous driving offences, (1,054 reports, including 73 causing a death or serious injury), the number of offences when compared to the size of the population eligible to hold a driving licence, people are far more likely to encounter a dangerous driver on the roads of Bradford. For every 100,000 people over the legal driving age, there were 242 offences in Bradford - the equivalent of one dangerous driving crime for every 413 people. That's much higher than anywhere else in the country. Separate figures show Bradford has more than its fair share of bad drivers, with a high proportion in parts of the city penalised by six or more points on their licence. Four of the top 10 postcode areas with the highest proportion of drivers with at least six points are in Bradford. Motorists and pedestrians aren't much safer outside the city limits. Calderdale, less than 10 miles away, had the second highest rate of dangerous driving offences over the last three years, with 202 per 100,000 people. Compare your area with our interactive map In fact all four areas with the highest dangerous driving rates are in West Yorkshire. Leeds had the third highest rate of dangerous driving offences in the period with 171 crimes per 100,000 people and Wakefield was fourth with 143. All of the top 10 areas with the highest proportion of dangerous drivers are in West Yorkshire or neighbouring Greater Manchester. Bolton (143) and Tameside (138), both in Greater Manchester, had the next highest rates of dangerous driving, followed by Kirklees (136), Rochdale (129), Manchester (124), and Salford (119). There is also a distinct north-south divide when it comes to dangerous driving. The dangerous driving rate in Bradford is more than three times higher than it is in Huntingdonshire, Cambridgeshire, the area with the highest proportion of dangerous drivers in the South (71 per 100,000). It is even lower in Wales, where the chances of meeting a dangerous driver are highest in Cardiff (43 dangerous driving offences per 100,000 of the population eligible to drive). Dangerous driving is when a motorist's actions fall 'far below the minimum standard expected of a competent and careful driver' and could put themselves or others at risk of harm. Examples include speeding, driving aggressively, overtaking dangerously, or ignoring traffic lights. It could also include driving while under the influence of drink or drugs, or driving when unfit, for example, when feeling sleepy, or being unable to see clearly. Punishment could include a fine, disqualification from driving and even imprisonment. For the most serious offence of causing death by dangerous driving, the sentence could be up to 14 years in prison and a minimum disqualification from driving of two years. The 20 areas with the highest rates of dangerous driving offences per 100,000 people Bradford - 242 Calderdale - 202 Leeds - 171 Wakefield - 143 Bolton - 141 Tameside - 138 Kirklees - 136 Rochdale - 129 Manchester - 124 Salford - 119 Oldham - 115 Middlesbrough - 97 Bury - 97 Hartlepool - 93 Wigan - 80 Eden - 77 17. Knowsley - 75 18. Stockport - 75 19. Stockton-on-Tees - 74 20. Trafford - 73
Daily Mail
09-06-2025
- Daily Mail
Woman on first date with man who put seven police officers in hospital after high speed chase 'wishes it had never happened'
The woman who found herself on a horror first date with a man who put seven police officers in hospital after a high speed motorway chase 'wishes it had never happened'. Mother-of-two Courtney Redfern, 27, was being driven home on April 9 in Gateshead, Tyne by Mazyar Azarbonyad, 20, in his BMW Five Series when officers attempted to pull him over due to a faulty rear light. Despite Courtney's protests, Iranian-born Azarbonyad - who had no licence or insurance - put his foot down and led police on a terrifying high speed pursuit through Gateshead and onto the A1M towards Newcastle. Supported from above by the force helicopter, four police cars performed a tactical stop manoeuvre, boxing in Azarbonyad's car and bringing it to a halt. But seconds later an unmarked police Volvo slammed into the cars at 80mph, unaware they were stationary in the carriageway and causing a scene described as 'carnage' by witnesses. Caught in the centre of it was Courtney, who like her date, miraculously escaped without any major injuries. A source close to the 27-year-old today revealed that she wishes she had never been a part of the nightmare collision. "[Courtney] wishes that it had never happened. She was caught up in this through no fault of her own,' they told The Mirror. The newspaper also reported today that Courtney had only met Azarbonyad the day before the horrific smash in April and that he had 'panicked' when she told him that she had drugs in her possession. Another source close to Courtney last month told MailOnline that she and her family had been left 'traumatised' by the ordeal. They said: '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.' It was also reported today that Courtney had only met Azarbonyad (above) the day before the horrific smash on April 9 and that he 'panicked' when she told him that she had drugs on her Courtney was arrested alongside Azarbonyad on suspicion of aiding and abetting dangerous driving at the time. The young mum from Newcastle was told she would face no further action, but later accepted a police caution for possession of cannabis for personal use. Gym-goer Courtney, who in the past has run a pub in the Gateshead area, is not believed to have continued to see Azarbonyad after the collision. At a hearing at Newcastle Crown Court on May 25 Azarbonyad simply laughed when asked whether he was still in touch with his date from the disastrous night of April 9. Earlier this month Azarbonyad pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, two counts of failing to stop, having no licence and driving with no insurance. He was jailed for 14 months with a three years and seven months road ban. The maximum sentence for dangerous driving is two years. Judge Gittins said Azarbonyad's speed reached a 'hair raising' level, adding: 'It is nothing short of a miracle that no one was more seriously injured or that there were not multiple fatalities. 'It is difficult to imagine a worse single offence of dangerous driving without serious injury or death being caused.' Prosecutor Jolyon Perks told the court it was 'truly remarkable' nobody was seriously injured. Mr Perks added: 'He was pursued by a number of police vehicles with lights illuminated. Judge Gittins said Azarbonyad's speed reached a 'hair raising' level and that it was 'nothing short of a miracle' that there were not multiple fatalities 'The lead police pursuit vehicle had dash cam footage which showed the defendant travelling in excess of 100mph and them approaching speeds of 120mph in an attempt to get away from the police. 'As the defendant apporached the junction of the A186 he chose to abandon his attempt to escape but rapidly decelerated from 119mph to a complete stop in the middle of the carriageway. 'As a consequence the pursuing police vehicles were forced to emergency brake in an unsuccessful attempt to avoid serious collision. 'The collision was captured on CCTV footage from a police air support helicopter.' The court heard that despite the devastation he caused on April 9, Azarbonyad was back behind the wheel on April 11, 12, 13, 15 and 16, which he claimed was essential for him to get to work. Penny Hall, defending, said Azarbonyad travelled from Iran to the UK with his uncle, who he lost contact with during the journey and has not seen any of his family since. Miss Hall said Azarbonyad spent time in the care system until he reached 18 when he was assisted with getting a tenancy for his home, which he will lose if he goes to prison and has no real support. Azarbonyad, who came to the UK from Iran aged 14, was granted leave to remain as a refugee.
Yahoo
02-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Driver jailed over ‘traumatic' crash that wrecked five police cars
A motorist has been jailed for causing a pile-up on the A1 that wrecked five police cars and left seven officers needing hospital treatment. Mazyar Azarbonyad, 20, pleaded guilty to dangerous driving following the crash, which happened just west of Newcastle in the early hours of April 9. Sentencing him to 14 months' detention on Monday, Judge Tim Gittins said: 'It is nothing short of a miracle that no one was more seriously injured or that there were not multiple fatalities.' One officer suffered soft tissue damage to her knee and nerve damage to her back, while another needed stitches for a cut to his forehead, police said. Newcastle Crown Court heard that Azarbonyad, who arrived in the UK after fleeing Iran when he was 14, was driving a female passenger home in a BMW X5 when he was spotted by police driving over the speed limit and with defective rear lights. The court heard he had bought the vehicle on finance despite only having a provisional driving licence and no insurance. He later admitted to officers he had previously paid for only three driving lessons. After being pulled over, an officer approached his vehicle on foot – but Azarbonyad said 'nah' and made off at speed, the court heard. Penny Hall, defending, said Azarbonyad 'panicked' after his passenger said she had drugs on her. However, Judge Gittins said: 'Whether or not you were made aware of the small amount of cannabis in her possession, I am satisfied you made a deliberate decision to make off substantially because of your unlawful driving position.' Azarbonyad was spotted by police again about 30 minutes later and failed to stop for a second time, nearly losing control on a bend and hitting a kerb as he accelerated onto the A1, where the judge said his speed reached a 'hair-raising level' at more than 120mph. When police vehicles moved in to contain the BMW, Azarbonyad braked suddenly in the middle of the four-lane carriageway, going from 119 mph to 0mph in an emergency stop and causing the multiple-vehicle pile-up, the court heard. Jolyon Perks, prosecuting, said: 'A number of these officers were trapped in vehicles. There were liquids involved, thankfully not petrol. 'A number of officers were rendered unconscious. It was clearly a very traumatic incident.' When Azarbonyad was interviewed he described his driving as 's---', but did not accept he had braked harshly and said the police chasing him were travelling too fast, Mr Perks told the court. Judge Gittins said the defendant, from Stanley in County Durham, would also be disqualified from driving for three years and seven months. No separate penalty was given for two offences of failing to stop for police and charges of driving without a licence or insurance, which Azarbonyad also pleaded guilty to. Supt Billy Mulligan, of Northumbria Police, said four of the seven officers who were injured in the crash remained off work. He said: 'It is sheer luck that Mazyar Azarbonyad did not kill anyone that day with his reckless actions.'
Telegraph
02-06-2025
- General
- Telegraph
Driver jailed over ‘traumatic' crash that wrecked five police cars
A motorist has been jailed for causing a pile-up on the A1 that wrecked five police cars and left seven officers needing hospital treatment. Mazyar Azarbonyad, 20, pleaded guilty to dangerous driving following the crash, which happened just west of Newcastle in the early hours of April 9. Sentencing him to 14 months' detention on Monday, Judge Tim Gittins said: 'It is nothing short of a miracle that no one was more seriously injured or that there were not multiple fatalities.' One officer suffered soft tissue damage to her knee and nerve damage to her back, while another needed stitches for a cut to his forehead, police said. Newcastle Crown Court heard that Azarbonyad, who arrived in the UK after fleeing Iran when he was 14, was driving a female passenger home in a BMW X5 when he was spotted by police driving over the speed limit and with defective rear lights. The court heard he had bought the vehicle on finance despite only having a provisional driving licence and no insurance. He later admitted to officers he had previously paid for only three driving lessons. After being pulled over, an officer approached his vehicle on foot – but Azarbonyad said 'nah' and made off at speed, the court heard. Penny Hall, defending, said Azarbonyad 'panicked' after his passenger said she had drugs on her. However, Judge Gittins said: 'Whether or not you were made aware of the small amount of cannabis in her possession, I am satisfied you made a deliberate decision to make off substantially because of your unlawful driving position.' Azarbonyad was spotted by police again about 30 minutes later and failed to stop for a second time, nearly losing control on a bend and hitting a kerb as he accelerated onto the A1, where the judge said his speed reached a 'hair-raising level' at more than 120mph. When police vehicles moved in to contain the BMW, Azarbonyad braked suddenly in the middle of the four-lane carriageway, going from 119 mph to 0mph in an emergency stop and causing the multiple-vehicle pile-up, the court heard. 'A very traumatic incident' Jolyon Perks, prosecuting, said: 'A number of these officers were trapped in vehicles. There were liquids involved, thankfully not petrol. 'A number of officers were rendered unconscious. It was clearly a very traumatic incident.' When Azarbonyad was interviewed he described his driving as 's---', but did not accept he had braked harshly and said the police chasing him were travelling too fast, Mr Perks told the court. Judge Gittins said the defendant, from Stanley in County Durham, would also be disqualified from driving for three years and seven months. No separate penalty was given for two offences of failing to stop for police and charges of driving without a licence or insurance, which Azarbonyad also pleaded guilty to. Supt Billy Mulligan, of Northumbria Police, said four of the seven officers who were injured in the crash remained off work. He said: 'It is sheer luck that Mazyar Azarbonyad did not kill anyone that day with his reckless actions.'
