A man is to be sentenced later this month after admitting taking a car without the owner’s permission which was later involved in a serious injury road accident.

Appearing at a plea hearing at Durham Crown Court, Jonas Lewis Lee admitted a charge of aggravated vehicle taking.

The indictment stated that the now 22-year-old defendant took a Volkswagen Polo car without the owner’s permission, on November 20, 2021.

After it was unlawfully taken, and, owing to the manner of his driving, a collision took place with a Mazda 3 vehicle which was damaged and a serious injury was caused to a female passenger of one of the vehicles.

Read more: Easington man jailed for two dangerous driving offences in Peterlee

The defendant, of Drum Road, Chester-le-Street, denied an alternative charge of causing serious injury by dangerous driving, on the A167 in nearby Birtley.

Ian West, prosecuting, said having considered those pleas, the Crown believes the admission to the aggravated vehicle taking charge is, “an acceptable resolution”, in the circumstances.

Deborah Smithies, representing Lee, said he has no previous convictions and, given the “serious nature” of the offence, which is more than 18-months-old, now, he would benefit from the production of a background report by the Probation Service before he is sentenced.

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Judge Jo Kidd agreed to Miss Smithies’ request and adjourned the sentence, pending the preparation of the probation report.

Bailing Lee to return to court for the sentencing hearing, on July 25, she told him: “You need to understand that the fact I’m adjourning and requesting a report should be taken as no indication as to the likely sentence.”

But she put in place an interim driving disqualification for Lee, the full length of which will be confirmed at the sentencing hearing later in the month.