The North East's worst drivers in court - including killer motorists who have devastated families
The reckless actions of these danger drivers have had heartbreaking consequences
These danger drivers have appeared before the courts for their reckless actions - with some costing lives.
In one tragic case a baby and his auntie were killed in County Durham when a drink-driver travelling up to 141mph smashed into them, while another heartbreaking case heard how a drugged danger driver caused the death of a teenager at a bus stop while five times the drug-drive limit.
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In separate cases two motorcyclists were killed due to the careless driving of the motorists who hit them. A great-grandmother found herself in the docks when she caused a head-on crash after drinking whisky to deal with toothache and a urine infection.
A motorists who reached speeds of up to 90mph in a 30 zone during a police chase has been jailed.
Here we look at cases before the North East courts in recent weeks.
Christopher Donnison,
Christopher Donnison, 39, pleaded guilty to a single charge of causing death by careless driving after being involved in a collision which resulted in the death of biker, John Wood.
John, 62, from Blyth, was returning from a 15-day motorbike holiday in France and Spain on Friday, September 21, 2021 when there was a crash between his motorbike and Donnison's Audi A3 on the A1 northbound, near to the A69 slip road at Denton Burn.
Donnison, of Parkhead Gardens, Winlaton, Gateshead, was behind the wheel of the Audi A3 when it collided with John and knocked him off his bike. Despite the best efforts of the emergency services, John tragically died at the scene.
Donnison appeared at Newcastle Crown Court where he pleaded guilty to the charge. The court was told there is no basis of plea.
Donnison will be sentenced on Thursday, October 31.
(Image: Iain Buist/Newcastle Chronicle)1 of 10Darryl Anderson
A drunk Audi driver was taking pictures of his dashboard at 141mph before smashing into a family car and killing an eight month old baby and a 30-year-old aunt on the A1(M).
Darryl Jason Anderson was behind the wheel of an Audi Q5 on the major route when he was involved in an early hours crash between Chester-le-Street and Durham on May 31, 2024. The horror smash resulted in the tragic deaths of baby Zackary Blades and his auntie, Karlene Warner, who were travelling in a Peugeot being driven by Zackary’s mum, Shalorna Warner.
Shalorna, from Northern Ireland, sustained minor injuries before being taken to hospital for treatment. Karlene was due to start a career as a cabin crew member and had flown into Newcastle Airport before being picked up by Shalorna. That same night, Anderson had flown into the same airport from Antalya after behaving "erratically" with his wife and returning to the UK on his own.
Anderson, of Clarell Walk, Thorpe Hesley, Rotherham, appeared at Durham Crown Court to be sentenced for two counts of causing death by dangerous driving. The 38-year-old pleaded guilty to the charges.
The court heard that Shalorna Warner went to pick up Karlene Warner from Newcastle Airport in the early hours of the morning. Karlene had returned early from holiday to start work as cabin crew and in the rear of the Peugeot was eight month old Zackary.
Anderson had flown into Newcastle from Antalya, Turkey, after “acting erratically” on holiday with his wife. He returned to England without her. The court heard that he had been drinking alcohol on the flight and was drunk, but still took the decision to pick up his keys to his Audi from the front desk of the airport.
He then drove off from the airport in his Audi and CCTV showed Shalorna’s Peugeot and Anderson’s Audi crossing the Tyne Bridge minutes apart. Anderson then made his way to the A194 and overshot a junction.
The court heard Anderson was "taking photographs of his dashboard while speeding at 141mph". She continued: “After the picture was taken, the defendant collided with the Peugeot. The collision was catastrophic, killing [Zackary and Karlene] instantly.
Anderson was jailed for 17 years and three months. He was also banned from driving for 21 and a half years. He must sit an extended re-test if he wants his licence back.
(Image: PA)2 of 10Margaret Kennedy
A great-grandmother caused a head-on crash by driving on the wrong side of the road after drinking whisky to deal with toothache and a urine infection.
Margaret Kennedy has no recollection of getting behind the wheel of her Vauxhall Corsa after consuming alcohol to try to quell her medical issues. She caused the crash around 11.45pm on December 1 last year on the A69 near Hexham, Northumberland.
A woman was driving a Citroen Berlingo van west while Kennedy was heading east in her Vauxhall Corsa. The court heard there had been fog that night and Kennedy ended up on the wrong side of the road shortly after it changed from being a dual carriageway to single carriageway. When the other driver saw her coming towards her, she changed lanes but so did Kennedy.
The court heard the defendant's vehicle veered onto the wrong side of the road towards the other vehicle. The other driver tried to avoid the collision by changing lanes but was unable to do so.
"There was therefore a head-on collision between the defendant's car and the other vehicle."
Kennedy was breathalysed and found to be around twice the drink drive limit. She told police she had no recollection of getting into her car.
Kennedy, of Broadway, Fourstones, Hexham, a mental health support worker who has no previous convictions, pleaded guilty to dangerous driving and drink driving. Recorder Felicity Davies said sentencing guidelines suggested the case merited one to two years custody but giving her mitigating circumstances, she sentenced her to a 15-month community order with 150 hours unpaid work and was banned from driving for 18 months.
(Image: CPS)3 of 10Steven Wallace
![Steven Wallace, who admitted causing the death of Joe Scott by dangerous driving]()
A drugged danger driver is facing a lengthy jail term after he admitted causing the death of a teenager at a bus stop while five times the drug-drive limit.
Steven Wallace had been snorting cocaine the night before he lost control of his BMW 320i in West Denton, Newcastle, killing 19-year-old Joe Scott and seriously injuring his girlfriend, Abi-Leigh Ross.
At Newcastle Crown Court, Wallace, 22, of Millfield Close, in Newburn, Newcastle, pleaded guilty to causing death and serious injury by dangerous driving and also admitted drug driving, failing to stop after an accident and having no insurance. He was remanded in custody and told he faces a "substantial" spell behind bars when he is sentenced on October 11.
Joe, from Blakelaw, in Newcastle, was pronounced dead at the scene after he was struck by Wallace's car as he waited for a bus on West Denton Way, in West Denton, Newcastle, at around 4pm on Sunday October 15.
(Image: Northumbria Police)4 of 10
