A man's been jailed after deliberately driving a car into a theatre in Darlington
It happened during rush hour in March
Last updated 1st May 2024
A man from Darlington has been jailed after driving a car into a theatre at rush hour.
The court heard 47-year-old Richard Kelly of Bourne Court in Darlington drove at high speed, before crashing through metal barriers outside the Darlington Hippodrome on the 7th March at 3.40pm.
He crashed into the front of the building - narrowly missing other vehicles and pedestrians.
Many onlookers rushed to the scene to help while emergency services were called
He was arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving and later charged with the offence.
Kelly, of Bourne Court, Darlington, admitted the charge, claiming he deliberately drove at the building after pressing the accelerator instead of the brake.
At Teesside Crown Court he was sentenced to 12 months in prison and also banned from driving for 16 months.
Detective Inspector David Bailey, of Durham Constabulary, said:
“Kelly’s behaviour that day was utterly reckless – he drove at excessive speeds and straight across a busy junction without any thought for other road users or pedestrians.
“It is only by sheer luck that nobody else was injured as a result of his actions.
“If he had chosen to commit this offence only moments before, several people would have been seriously injured or even killed as a result of his actions.
“I am pleased he has admitted his guilt and can reflect on the consequences of his careless behaviour while he is behind bars.”