Personal trainer jailed over 'first date' chase that ended in crash involving five police cars

A personal trainer who admitted dangerous driving on a first date that ended in a police car pile-up has been sentenced to one year and two months in a young offenders' institution.

Mazyar Azarbonyad, 20, was taking a woman home in the early hours of 9 April when his driving triggered a car chase and eventual crash involving five police cars. Seven officers ended up in hospital, and one of their cars had its roof torn off in the dramatic collision that left debris strewn across the A1 near Newcastle.

Northumbria Police said while three officers have been able to return to duty, four remain off work. At Newcastle Crown Court in April, Azarbonyad admitted a series of driving offences, including driving without insurance several times after the crash, and failing to stop.

Northumbria Police said officers attempted to stop his powerful BMW in the Whickham area of Gateshead due to its speed and defective headlight. After being instructed to pull over, Azarbonyad initially stopped before fleeing as the officer approached his vehicle.

The car was later spotted on Whickham Front Street where it again made off from police and drove at excessive speeds through residential streets. Specialist officers from the force's road policing unit were sent to the area, and at 2.25am got behind the car where it reached speeds in excess of 120mph.

Just two minutes later the collision occurred near the Denton Interchange exit in Newcastle. Azarbonyad and his female passenger were both uninjured.

The woman, aged in her 20s, was arrested on suspicion of aiding and abetting dangerous driving but was later told she would face no further action. She later received a caution for drug possession.

Azarbonyad was arrested at the scene and later released on bail with strict conditions including an interim driving ban. Days later, officers received information that he was driving a red Hyundai i10 from his County Durham home to work in Newcastle city centre.

He was arrested on a garage forecourt in Stanley on 16 April after being caught filling up the vehicle. Appearing before magistrates the following day, he pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, two counts of failing to stop a motor vehicle when required by a constable, six counts of no insurance use, and six counts of driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence.

Defending, solicitor Jack Lovell had told the court the defendant, of Stanley, had shown genuine remorse for his actions. Returning to Newcastle Crown Court on Monday, Azarbonyad was sentenced to one year and two months in a young offenders' institution.

He was also disqualified from driving for three years and seven months. If Azarbonyad wishes to get behind the wheel again, he must also sit an extended re-test.

Following the court case, Superintendent Billy Mulligan said: "It is sheer luck that Mazyar Azarbonyad did not kill anyone that day with his reckless actions. "What should have been a simple stop turned into him driving incredibly dangerously in a bid to get away from officers.

"He showed absolutely zero regard for the safety of anyone else that morning, and his decision-making behind the wheel put lives at risk." Superintendent Mulligan praised the bravery of the officers involved in the pursuit and subsequent collision. He added: "While three officers have been able to return to duty, four of our colleagues remain off work - and I wish them all the best in their recovery.

"They were simply doing their job, protecting the public from the actions of someone who was not even qualified or insured to drive. "We have a zero-tolerance approach to this type of behaviour, and we are committed to bringing offenders to justice and ensuring our roads are as safe as possible.".