Moorside man caught drink and drug driving after fleeing police during roadside stop

A Sunderland driver who tried to flee police after being stopped for drink and drug driving has admitted a string of offences.

Lennon McCormick, 22, was pulled over on Radcliffe Road, Hylton Red House, after officers received reports he was driving under the influence. He resisted arrest, telling officers: “I’m not getting locked up,” before trying to run from the scene.

McCormick, of Emsworth Road, Moorside, was eventually restrained and arrested. He later provided blood samples showing he was more than twice the legal alcohol limit and also over the limit for a cocaine breakdown product.

He had borrowed the car, a Fiat Panda, from a drunken friend to drive home on Saturday 8 March.

At South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court, he pleaded guilty to drink driving, drug driving, obstructing police, and driving without insurance or a licence.

He’s due to be sentenced on Friday 22 August and faces a driving ban and possible custody.