By SOPHIE CARLIN

Published: 11:41 BST, 19 April 2025 | Updated: 11:59 BST, 19 April 2025

A personal trainer who was taking a woman out for a first date has admitted dangerous driving after seven officers were injured in a crash involving five police vehicles and a car.

Mazyar Azarbonyad, 20, of Syliva Terrace, Stanley, County Durham, appeared at Newcastle Magistrates’ Court to admit a series of driving offences, including driving without insurance and a licence several times after the horrific crash.

The Iran-born defendant, who came to the UK in around 2020, was behind the wheel of a powerful BMW which was being pursued by police along the A1 near the Gateshead and Newcastle border at around 2.30am on April 9 when the collision occurred.

Mazyar Azarbonyad (pictured), 20, of Syliva Terrace, Stanley, County Durham, appeared at Newcastle Magistrates' Court to admit a series of driving offences, including driving without insurance and a licence several times after the horrific crash

Mazyar Azarbonyad (pictured), 20, of Syliva Terrace, Stanley, County Durham, appeared at Newcastle Magistrates’ Court to admit a series of driving offences, including driving without insurance and a licence several times after the horrific crash 

The Iran-born defendant, who came to the UK in around 2020, was behind the wheel of a powerful BMW which was being pursued by police along the A1 near the Gateshead and Newcastle border

The Iran-born defendant, who came to the UK in around 2020, was behind the wheel of a powerful BMW which was being pursued by police along the A1 near the Gateshead and Newcastle border 

Magistrates were told that a woman in the car with Azarbonyad at the time was on her first date with him and he was taking her home

Magistrates were told that a woman in the car with Azarbonyad at the time was on her first date with him and he was taking her home

He admitted dangerous driving and failing to stop on that night

 He admitted dangerous driving and failing to stop on that night

Magistrates were told that a woman in the car with Azarbonyad at the time was on her first date with him and he was taking her home.

He admitted dangerous driving and failing to stop on that night.

Having been granted bail pending a court appearance, he admitted continuing to drive on four further occasions, by driving a Hyundai i10 to work at a gym in Newcastle city centre, despite bail conditions telling him not to drive.

This is a breaking story – further updates to follow.  

:
Personal trainer on FIRST DATE put seven police officers in hospital in six-car pile-up on the A1 while trying to escape officers – as he admits dangerous driving

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