A personal trainer has admitted dangerous driving after seven officers were injured in a crash involving five police vehicles and a car.

Mazyar Azarbonyad, of Sylvia Terrace in Stanley, County Durham, admitted a series of driving offences when he appeared at Newcastle Magistrates’ Court.

They included failing to stop after the crash on the A1 near the Newcastle and Gateshead border at about 02:30 BST on 9 April.

The court heard police were pursuing Iran-born Azarbonyad as the 20-year-old BMW driver was taking a woman home from their first date.

Azarbonyad also admitted driving without insurance and a licence.

Having been granted bail pending his court appearance, the 20-year-old continued to drive on four further occasions.

The court heard he drove a Hyundai i10 to work at a gym in Newcastle city centre, despite bail conditions ordering him not to.