A man has been sentenced to 37 weeks in prison after leading police on a dangerous, high-speed chase through the streets of Easington. Andrew Paul Garthwaite, 30, was sentenced at Peterlee Magistrates’ Court on 1 May 2026 after admitting to dangerous driving, driving while disqualified, and driving without insurance.
The incident occurred on 30 April 2026 when Durham Constabulary officers PC Lee Smith and PC Bradley Jones spotted Garthwaite driving a Volvo C30. During the pursuit, Garthwaite reached speeds exceeding 70mph in 30mph zones, putting other drivers and pedestrians at risk before attempting to escape on foot. He was quickly apprehended by the officers.
In addition to his prison sentence, Garthwaite was issued a three-year driving ban. He pleaded guilty to all charges during his first court appearance, a factor that influenced the sentencing outcome.
This case reflects the ongoing commitment of local authorities to road safety. The police force has established a dedicated Road Safety Bureau and introduced initiatives such as Operation Snap, which allows members of the public to report dangerous driving by submitting dashcam footage.
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