Former Blackpool FC player crashed car after high-speed police chase

Footballer released by Blackpool FC crashed his Range Rover into parked car after high-speed police chase, court hears

• Gary Madine refused to stop for police, sped away and fled the scene after crash 

A footballer released by Blackpool FC crashed his Range Rover into a parked car after a high-speed police chase, a court has heard. 

Gary Madine refused to stop for police lights and sirens, sped down narrow roads then ran away from the scene after he smashed into a parked white Ford Focus, which spun and hit a postbox, in April.

He had been released by Blackpool a month earlier, after suffering a devastating knee injury. Newcastle Crown Court heard Madine was ‘rather low’ at the time of the offence.

But the striker hopes to restart his career, which started at Carlisle United in 2007, after rehabilitation and has had some offers from other clubs.

The court heard police had been called to a disturbance involving a group of males in the street in Birtley, Gateshead, Tyne and Wear in the early hours of April 3.

Gary Madine refused to stop for police lights and sirens, sped down narrow roads then ran away from the scene after he smashed into a parked white Ford Focus, which spun and hit a postbox, in April

He had been released by Blackpool a month earlier, after suffering a devastating knee injury. Newcastle Crown Court heard Madine was ‘rather low’ at the time of the offence

The court heard when the chase reached Selkirk Crescent in the town Madine’s vehicle collided with a parked white Ford Focus (pictured)

One male was detained and an officer indicated for Madine, who was driving a Range Rover with a passenger in the vehicle, for him to pull over.

But prosecutor Marc Atkins told the court: ‘He ignored instructions by the police officers to stop. At that time, an officer got into his police vehicle and followed the defendant.

‘He activated emergency lights and sirens. During the police pursuit the defendant drove dangerously, at excessive speeds on narrow, residential streets.’

The court heard when the chase reached Selkirk Crescent in the town Madine’s vehicle collided with a parked white Ford Focus.

Mr Atkins added: ‘The impact caused the Ford Focus to spin and collide with a postbox, causing it to knock over.’

The court heard Madine and his passenger ran off from the vehicle.

Prosecutor Mr Atkins added: ‘The impact caused the Ford Focus (left) to spin and collide with a postbox, causing it to knock over.’ The court heard Madine and his passenger ran off from the vehicle (right)

He later ignored a notice under Section 172 of the Road Traffic Act to provide details of who the driver was that day.

Madine, 33, of Bede Way, Birtley, Gateshead, who has four previous offences on his record, admitted dangerous driving, failing to stop for a police constable, failing to stop after an accident and failing to provide driver information.

Shaun Routledge, defending, said 2023 was a difficult year for Madine, whose relationship had turned ‘sour’ and added: ‘He was subjected to a rather serious injury which led to nine months rehabilitation and not being able to perform in a job he has done for a number of years.’

Mr Routledge said Madine was ‘rather low’ at the time of the offence and added: ‘He can’t explain how he behaved in the way he did.

‘He is keen to get back to his profession, it is dependent on full recovery from the injury. He has had offers from other clubs.

Madine (pictured), 33, of Bede Way, Birtley, Gateshead, who has four previous offences on his record, admitted dangerous driving, failing to stop for a police constable, failing to stop after an accident and failing to provide driver information

Madine (left) was sentenced to six months suspended for 18 months, with 250 hours unpaid work and a 12 month driving ban that includes him having to sit an extended test before he can get his license back

‘Blackpool have been very supportive in terms of his rehabilitation. He realises what he did was ridiculously stupid.’

Mr Recorder Paul Reid told Madine: ‘It is a mystery why people in your position do this, it remains a mystery as to why you did it on this particular night.

‘I suspect you made off from the police because you didn’t want to be breathalysed but I disregard that.’

Recorder Reid said he had read references and a letter from Madine himself, who described what he did as an ‘act of stupidity’.

He added it was ‘fortunate’ there was no worse damage or injury caused.

Madine was sentenced to six months suspended for 18 months, with 250 hours unpaid work and a 12 month driving ban that includes him having to sit an extended test before he can get his license back.

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