A drug driver led police on a dangerous 20-minute chase through Hartlepool, reaching speeds of 85mph in a 30mph zone and even reversing into a police car. Mark Carroll, 36, was later caught with multiple drugs in his system and tried to deny driving. However, the court found him guilty of several motoring offenses, resulting in a 22-month jail sentence and a driving ban of nearly four years.
High-Speed Chase Through Hartlepool
On August 11, 2023, police spotted Carroll’s BMW acting suspiciously at an Esso service station on the A689. When officers approached, Carroll sped off, leading them on a dangerous chase through Catcote Road and Owton Manor Lane, areas with a 30mph speed limit.
Carroll drove recklessly, reaching 85mph, going off-road, and even reversing into a police car in an attempt to escape. The chase finally ended when another police vehicle blocked his path.
Denial and Drug Test Results
When police stopped the BMW, Carroll’s passengers fled while he climbed into the back seat, claiming he had not been driving. However, a drug test revealed that he had:
- 31 micrograms of cocaine per litre of blood (legal limit: 10)
- 200 micrograms of BZE (a cocaine metabolite) (legal limit: 50)
- Traces of ketamine and MDMA
Carroll, of Lealholm Road, Hartlepool, pleaded guilty to:
Dangerous driving
Two counts of drug driving
Driving while disqualified
Driving without insurance
Previous Offenses and Stolen Vehicle Incident
This was not Carroll’s first driving offense. On March 9, 2023, police found him near a stolen Land Rover on Wynyard Road, Hartlepool. He had been seen earlier getting out of the driver’s seat, but when officers arrived, only a passenger remained in the vehicle.
Carroll was once again tested for drugs, showing:
- 32 micrograms of cocaine per litre of blood
- 469 micrograms of BZE
Despite denying drug driving, driving while disqualified, and driving without insurance, Carroll failed to attend his trial and was found guilty in his absence.
Court Sentencing and Judge’s Remarks
Carroll’s defense lawyer, Stephen Constantine, claimed his client panicked when approached by police. He also mentioned that Carroll, who has a stoma bag, was desperate to get home and was the only person in the car who could drive.
However, Judge Aisha Wadoodi was unimpressed, criticizing Carroll’s “cavalier attitude” toward both driving laws and the court. She sentenced him to:
- 22 months in prison
- A driving ban of 3 years and 11 months
Mark Carroll’s reckless actions put countless lives at risk. His high-speed chase, drug use, and previous offenses showed a blatant disregard for the law. Despite attempting to escape blame, he was ultimately convicted and handed a lengthy prison sentence and driving ban. This case highlights the dangers of drug driving and the severe consequences of reckless behavior on the road.
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