Banned motorist ended up on police car's bonnet

9:03pm Saturday 17th May 2008

A BANNED motorcyclist ended a police pursuit sprawled across a patrol vehicle bonnet.

Cameron McCulloch rode at high speed through residential areas of Horden and Peterlee, County Durham, trying to shake off pursuing police.

But it came to a swift conclusion when he fell from the Honda motorbike, landing heavily on the police car bonnet.

Durham Crown Court heard that the chase, on the A1086, lasted only two minutes, during which McCulloch reached 60-miles per hour, last November 18.

Lesley Kirkup, prosecuting, said: "At one stage children were walking along the pavement and, when McCulloch was prevented from making a right turn, he took to a grass verge, in Yoden Way.

"The police car pulled alongside, and the chase came to an end when he apparently fell off the motorcycle and rolled over the police car bonnet."

McCulloch's previous convictions were outlined, including three offences of driving while disqualified.

Jane Waugh, for McCulloch, said it was, "not the worst" driving case to come before the court.

"He's kept out of trouble in other respects for three years and was working until last September.

"It may be society's needs would be better served by the Probation Service working with him, to convince him of the error of his ways."

Thirty-five-year-old McCulloch, of Tees Street, Horden, admitted dangerous driving and driving while disqualified.

Imposing a six-month prison sentence, Judge Michael Cartlidge told McCulloch: "Your record of driving while disqualified merits a short sentence on its own.

"Then, there is the manner of your riding that day.

"What you must learn is that you cannot keep on driving while disqualified."

Judge Cartlidge added: "My advice to you is steer clear of motorbikes until you get a licence."

The judge confiscated the motorcycle involved in the incident and banned McCulloch from driving for a further two years.

* Less than 24-hours after being jailed, McCulloch appeared before North Durham magistrates, today, accused of attempting to pervert the course of justice, relating to a potential witness in the case.

The hearing was adjourned and McCulloch was technically remanded in custody by the magistrates.

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