Steven Johnstone made a daring escape attempt after stealing a high-value quadbike from a farm garage in Teesdale just after midnight on October 11 last year. However, his joyride ended in flames and jail time.
Members of Ruralwatch spotted Johnstone fleeing on the Yamaha Kodiak 700 and alerted Durham Roads & Armed Policing officers. The stolen quad and a red Astra were found abandoned on the A67 between Gainford and Piercebridge.
When officers approached, Johnstone sped off at up to 70mph, riding on the wrong side of the road and even going the wrong way around a roundabout. Sparks flew from beneath the quad as he pushed his luck all the way to Darlington, where the vehicle suddenly burst into flames.
The 41-year-old from Bradford abandoned the burning quad near the River Skerne but was quickly apprehended by police. He was charged with motor vehicle theft, possession of a class B drug, and handling stolen goods.
Johnstone’s co-conspirators, Metin Ucarcan and Jack Smith, were found inside the red Astra. Ucarcan received a 37-month prison sentence for the farm break-in and another burglary in Darlington. Smith was given a 21-month suspended sentence along with 200 hours of unpaid work.
At Durham Crown Court on November 20, Johnstone was sentenced to 30 months in prison and received a driving ban of 27 months.
Originally published by UKNIP.
