A thief who drove a stolen sports car like an “Exocet missile” crashed into railings at a busy pedestrian crossing.
Anthony Fada left members of the public in a “state of shock” by tearing through South Shields and smashing the Nissan 350z into safety barriers.
A court heard the impact was so forceful that police stationed nearby heard the crash and were able to quickly assist.
Go here for the latest crime news and breaking North East police updates
One police witness said the vehicle had been “flying like an Exocet missile” before the collision on May 25 2020.
Fada, who has never passed a driving test, appeared to be under the influence of drugs, had small bags of amphetamine in his pocket at the scene and had alcohol in his system.
The 54-year-old, of Stanhope Road, South Shields admitted aggravated vehicle taking, dangerous driving, having no licence, driving while unfit through drink or drugs, possessing amphetamine and an unrelated charge of possessing two Stanley knife blades in public.
At Newcastle Crown Court, recorder Mark Giuliani told him: “There were a number of vehicles on the road, there were a number of people out and about shopping.
“You drove through a junction and collided with metal barriers on the pavement, at a point were there was a light controlled pedestrian crossing.
“There were pedestrians near the crossing, who were described by police officers as being in a state of shock.
“It was fortunate no one was injured.”
The court heard a police officer had been stationed in a car on Boldon Lane, near the junction, and saw Fada driving past in the car.
The judge added: “He describes it flying like an Exocet missile.
“The impact with the railings was so forceful that other police officers nearby heard.”
The court heard Fada, who has 70 previous convictions, has a history of mental health problems and was detained in hospital for a period after the offenses.
He stormed out of the sentence hearing, where he appeared via video link to prison, stating “it was my own car” just as the judge started speaking and the case continued in his absence.
The court heard Fada has been in custody since last November and had an “extremely positive” report from the probation service, which assessed him as a “low to medium” risk of re-offending and capable of rehabilitation.
Fada was sentenced to 472 days imprisonment, suspended for 18 months, with rehabilitation requirements and an 18 month road ban.
For daily news from the North East’s courts direct to your inbox, go here to sign up to our free court newsletter
