A driver who caused a horror crash in the North East of England earlier this month has admitted to dangerous driving after appearing in court.

Mazyar Azarbonyad, 20, of Syliva Terrace, Stanley, County Durham, appeared at Newcastle Magistrates' Court where he admitted to a number of offences.

Azarbonyad, who works as a personal trainer, was taking a woman out for a first date when an accident caused seven police officers to be injured in a crash involving five police cars.

The 20-year-old admitted to several driving offences, including driving without insurance and a licence several times after the horrific crash.

Seven police officers were taken to hospital after the accident

The defendant was behind the wheel of a BMW, which was being pursued by the police along the A1 near the Gateshead and Newcastle border at around 2.30am on April 9 when the collision occurred.

According to the PA news agency, 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 also admitted to dangerous driving and failing to stop on the night of Friday, April 9.

Azarbonyad, who came to the UK from Iran in around 2020, had been granted bail pending a court appearance, but continued to drive on four further occasions.

It was heard that he drove a Hyundai i10 to work at a gym in the centre of Newcastle, despite bail conditions telling him not to drive.

The aftermath of the five-vehicle crash shows car parts strewn across the A1PA