A PAIR of alleged burglars who were in a car which crashed following a police chase have been cleared of charges arising from the incident.

Moses Ralph, 23, and a 16-year-old co-accused were passengers in a Volkswagen Beetle, which collided into signage at a building site near Bishop Auckland, at 2am on October 9.

Durham Crown Court heard that police followed the Beetle having received a report from the owner that it had been taken after a break-in at her home in McIntyre Terrace, Bishop Auckland, shortly before 1.15am.

A police patrol officer spotted the car in Byerly Road, Shildon, at 1.40am

The Beetle accelerated and was driven dangerously, for almost 20 minutes, before crashing through signs at a site, off Dial Stob Hill.

By the time the officer reached the now static car, the driver was able to get out and flee the scene.

But the defendants, in the passenger and back seats, were arrested.

Mr Ralph told police he was picked up by the driver of the Beetle as he hobbled along the bypass at Shildon, having injured his foot while ‘lamping’ in the early hours that morning.

His teenage co-accused told the court he was picked up by someone else driving the vehicle, having been to a house party that morning.

Due to the amount of alcohol he consumed, he could not recall the location of the party.

Both Mr Ralph, of Craddock Street, Spennymoor, and his co-accused denied burglary and aggravated vehicle taking.

Following a two-day trial, the jury returned unanimous not guilty verdicts on both counts against each defendant, who were then told they were free to leave the court by Judge Christopher Prince.