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Chronicle Live
Chronicle Live
National
Sara Nichol

Lemington driver went on 'demolition derby' after crashing into parked and moving cars and fleeing scene

A driver went on a "demolition derby" after crashing into parked and moving cars then fleeing the scene.

Jane Bell was behind the wheel of a "distinctive" white Range Rover when she ploughed into stationary vehicles in Gosforth, Newcastle, before also smashing into a further car as it was being driven down the Great North Road. Although the impact of the collision caused both vehicles to come to a stop, Bell made off from the scene, a court was told.

However, due to her distinctive Range Rover and the fact police had already spoken to her earlier in the day about an unrelated matter, the 39-year-old was easily tracked down. She was taken to hospital but, while receiving treatment, refused to give a sample of blood for police to analyse.

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Bell, of Burnham Avenue, in Lemington, is now facing a possible prison sentence after she appeared at Newcastle Magistrates' Court to plead guilty to failing to stop after an accident and failing to provide a specimen of blood. She also admitted driving with no insurance.

Prosecutor, Brian Payne, said Bell first crashed into parked cars on Albury Road, in Gosforth, on December 1 last year. Mr Payne added: "This lady went on a bit of a demolition derby in a white Range Rover.

"She collided with parked vehicles and left the scene then was in a collision with another vehicle on the Great North Road, causing both vehicles to come to a halt. She then made off from the scene of the collision.

"She was easily identifiable. In fact, police had spoken to her that morning about something else. She was also linked to the distinctive vehicle involved. She was found and taken to hospital."

The court heard that, once at the hospital, Bell refused to give a blood sample for police to check for evidence of drink or drug driving. Mr Payne said it was a "deliberate" refusal to provide the specimen.

Jack Lovell, defending, said Bell had a number of underlying issues, which would need to be addressed further by the Probation Service. Magistrates adjourned the case for the preparation of a pre-sentence report and released Bell on unconditional bail to appear back at the same court for sentence on April 26.

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