A disqualified driver who killed his 18-year-old friend in a high-speed car crash while being pursued by police was jailed for eight years yesterday.
John McNaughton drove at speeds of 70mph in icy conditions before crashing the Vauxhall Vectra he was driving into two trees in February.
McNaughton's close friend Craig Morris died from head injuries and a ripped spleen after the accident.
Another passenger in the car, 23-year-old Craig Stephenson, survived the crash near the James Cook Hospital in Middlesbrough. Two months later he was stabbed to death on the town's Grove Hill estate during a gang fight.
Teesside Crown Court heard yesterday McNaughton, a drug dealer, had one of the worst driving records to come before the courts.
Witnesses to the accident said there was a large amount of vehicle debris across the road, describing it as like "snowspray like a bomb burst."
Shaun Dodds, prosecuting, said the accident happened at around 1.15am on February 22 after police pulled up beside Mr Stephenson's vehicle, which was driven by the defendant.
He said: "The vehicle drove off at speed through a red light on Acklam Road. A marked police car started to follow it.
"The vehicle had its lights turned off and was driving at speeds of 70 mph in icy conditions before mounting a footpath, driving through bollards.
"Several marked police vehicles were involved in the pursuit and an air support unit was on route to the area.
"The car drove onto Marton Road and spun of control, through a garage forecourt and exited on the wrong side of the road."
The car drove back along Marton Road, across a grass verge, and driving on the wrong side of the rood, before McNaughton lost control and crashed into two trees.
Mr Dodds said: "The defendant was trapped in the driver's seat and had to be pulled from the vehicle by two police officers, clearly risking their own lives as the engine was smoking and fuel was leaking.
"Tragically Craig Morris, but 18 years of age, died in hospital."
The Court heard McNaughton, 22, of Bethune Road Middlesbrough, had a string of driving convictions including nine offences of driving while disqualified, aggravated vehicle taking and driving with excess alcohol.
Tom Mitchell, defending, said: "One knows that to say sorry on behalf of my client will be little comfort to the family of the deceased but for what it is worth it is true. The man has killed his friend."
McNaughton, pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving and also admitted supplying crack cocaine.
Judge Peter Bowers said: "I accept Craig was a close friend of yours that you will bear in mind for many years to come."
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