A 20-year-old fitness instructor has been sentenced to 14 months in a young offenders' institution following a disastrous police pursuit that erupted during what was supposed to be a romantic first encounter. Mazyar Azarbonyad admitted to multiple driving offences after causing a catastrophic collision involving five police vehicles on the A1 near Newcastle.
Azarbonyad pleaded guilty to multiple driving offences (Credit: Northumbria Police)
The incident unfolded in the early hours of April 9th when officers attempted to stop Azarbonyad's BMW near Whickham, Gateshead. Police initiated the traffic stop due to the vehicle's excessive speed and defective headlight. Bodycam footage reveals the driver initially complied before suddenly accelerating away as an officer approached.
What followed was a high-speed chase reaching over 120mph through residential neighborhoods. Specialist traffic officers joined the pursuit, which culminated just two minutes later in a devastating multi-vehicle collision at Denton Interchange. The impact scattered debris across the highway and ripped the roof from one police car.
Debris littered the A1 following the collision (Credit: PA Media)
Seven police officers required hospital treatment, with Northumbria Police confirming four remain unfit for duty months after the incident. Azarbonyad and his female passenger miraculously escaped physical injury. The woman received a caution for drug possession but faced no driving-related charges.
Despite being released on bail with an interim driving ban, Azarbonyad continued flouting road laws. Officers apprehended him days later refueling a red Hyundai i10 in Stanley - committing fresh offences while awaiting court proceedings for the initial incident.
Pattern of Recklessness
Court documents reveal a troubling pattern of behavior beyond the initial chase. Azarbonyad ultimately pleaded guilty to:
- Dangerous driving
- Two counts of failing to stop for police
- Six counts of driving without insurance
- Six counts of driving without a valid license
Azarbonyad arriving at Newcastle Crown Court (Credit: PA Media)
At Monday's sentencing hearing, Newcastle Crown Court imposed a 14-month custodial sentence alongside a driving ban lasting 3 years and 7 months. Should Azarbonyad wish to drive after this period, he must pass an extended re-test.
Superintendent Billy Mulligan condemned the defendant's "sheer luck" in not causing fatalities: "He showed absolutely zero regard for anyone's safety that morning. His reckless decision-making endangered multiple lives."
The senior officer highlighted the ongoing impact on injured colleagues: "While three have returned to duty, four remain off work - officers who were simply protecting the public from someone unqualified and uninsured to drive."
"We maintain zero tolerance for such behavior. Ensuring community safety remains our priority," Superintendent Mulligan emphasized.
One patrol car was completely deroofed in the collision (Credit: PA Media)
Defense solicitor Jack Lovell had previously cited his client's remorse during April's plea hearing. The court considered Azarbonyad's youth and clean prior record, but deemed the danger posed to officers and public too severe for leniency.
This case highlights ongoing concerns about high-speed pursuits in urban areas. Police protocols for such chases were reviewed following the incident, though authorities maintain their actions were justified given the extreme risk posed by Azarbonyad's driving.
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