Shotgun drama: man in court (From The Advertiser Series)

Shotgun drama: man in court

11:32am Thursday 3rd September 2009

• Print
• Email
• Share

A MAN appeared in court on Monday following a shotgun drama spanning ten miles and two areas of County Durham.

Justin Short, 37, was remanded in custody by North Durham magistrates, sitting in Peterlee, accused of dangerous driving.

Mr Short, who will reappear again next Tuesday, was one of two men arrested after an alleged shooting in Stanley, preceded a car chase and crash on the County Hall roundabout, on the A691, in Durham City, on Saturday evening (August 29).

He was subsequently detained following a further pursuit, which resulted in police stopping the Mercedes E320 CDi car he was driving, in Fieldhouse Lane, on the Durham to Sacriston road, a short time later.

A second man, aged 40, and believed to be from the Belmont area of Durham, was still in police custody on Monday.

He was arrested following treatment at the nearby University Hospital of North Durham, for what was believed to be a broken arm after the Mitsubishi L200 he was driving overturned and came to rest on a patch of grass alongside County Hall.

A shotgun, recovered in a search of the grounds of County Hall, was examined by police firearms experts over the weekend.

The incident began with the alleged discharge of a firearm in the Humber Hill area of Stanley, earlier on Saturday.

Residents living near the scene heard several shots ring out, shortly after 6pm.

There were not believed to have been any casualties as a result of the shooting.

Both the Mercedes and the Mitsubishi 4x4 were said to have left the Stanley area and a second confrontation took place within half-anhour on the A691 approaching Durham city centre.

It was said another shot may have been fired in the vicinity of the County Hall roundabout, where the two cars are believed to have collided.

As the drama unfolded, the 4x4 left the road and overturned on a grassy area outside Durham County Council’s headquarters.

The injured driver was arrested, suffering the suspected broken arm as a result of the collision, and was taken to the nearby hospital under armed guard.

Late on Saturday, he was discharged and was taken into police custody.

Both the roads round County Hall and Humber Hill were closed while police forensic experts examined the scenes.

Anyone who may have information over either incident is asked to contact police on 0345-60-60-365, or, anonymously, via the Crimestoppers’ freephone line, on 0800-555111.

• Print
• Email
• Share