A drug driver who sped-off from police and deserted his automobile in a cemetery informed officers “you may must show I used to be driving” when arrested.
Shane Houghton had hashish and a breakdown of cocaine in his system when he acquired behind the wheel of his VW Passat and travelled by way of components of Wallsend along with his buddies within the again.
The 23-year-old, who was additionally solely a provisional licence holder and had no insurance coverage, quickly got here to the eye of police however refused to drag over and as a substitute put his foot down when signalled to take action, a courtroom heard.
Houghton disappeared from view alongside roads within the city and deserted his car within the grounds of Holy Cross Cemetery quickly after.
Nevertheless, the motor menace did not get far and was discovered strolling with a pal close by.
North Tyneside Magistrates’ Courtroom was informed that the keys to the Passat had been present in Houghton’s pocket and he was arrested after failing a roadside swab check.
Now, Houghton, of Bede Crescent, in Wallsend, faces being banned from the roads for at the least 12 months after he pleaded responsible to 2 counts of driving whereas over the drug restrict, one in all failing to cease for a police officer, one in all driving in any other case than in accordance with a licence, driving with no insurance coverage and driving with a faulty tyre.
Glenda Beck, prosecuting, stated a police officer noticed Houghton’s Passat in Wallsend at round 1pm on Could 4 final yr.
A radio test indicated that the car was from exterior the world so the constable signalled for Houghton to drag over.
Nevertheless, he as a substitute sped-off however the officer was unable to begin a pursuit as he lacked the related coaching.
Ms Beck stated: “The realm is searched and data is obtained of a automobile driving erratically at Holy Cross Cemetery. Police find the world and located the car contained in the grounds of the cemetery, safe.”
The courtroom heard that officers performed a search of the world and located Houghton and one other male strolling by way of St Peter’s Area.
Ms Beck added: “The defendant made-off however the passenger was detained. The defendant was additionally duly detained.
“He was searched and had VW Passat keys in his pocket. He additionally had a bag containing white powder residue.
“A swab check was taken and got here again constructive for cocaine and hashish. He was warning and arrested and stated “That is fantastic, When you can show I used to be driving”.”
Additional checks revealed that Houghton was a provisional licence holder, had no insurance coverage and was travelling with a faulty entrance tyre.
Paul McAlindon, defending, stated Houghton was solely barely over the restrict for hashish and hadn’t taken any cocaine since a few days earlier.
The solicitor added: “It is a breakdown of cocaine that’s present in his system. The opposite offences communicate for themselves. The car had solely not too long ago been purchased and he was unaware it had a faulty tyre.”
Mr McAlindon stated Houghton used hashish as a coping mechanism as his mum was in poor health on the time of the offence and had since died.
Magistrates adjourned the case for the preparation of a pre-sentence report and launched Houghton on unconditional bail to subsequent seem on the similar courtroom on February 10.
He was given an interim disqualification within the meantime.
