Man who was ‘on first date’ admits dangerous driving after crash involving five police cars on A1
A 20-year-old man has admitted dangerous driving after seven officers were injured in a crash involving five police vehicles and a car.
Personal trainer Mazyar Azarbonyad was taking a woman home after a first date when the crash occurred on the A1 on Tyneside in the early hours of 9 April, Newcastle Magistrates’ Court heard.
He appeared at court on Saturday to admit a series of driving offences, including driving without insurance several times after the crash.
Azarbonyad, who was driving a powerful BMW, failed to stop after police had concerns over how the vehicle was being driven in the Whickham area of Gateshead.
Mazyar Azarbonyad leaving court on Saturday
Pictures of the scene showed the BMW and debris strewn across the road. One of the police cars had its roof torn off.
The collision led to major delays as the road was closed.
The seven police officers have all now been discharged from hospital.
Pic: PA
After the crash, Azarbonyad was granted bail that included conditions telling him not to drive.
He told the court that just days after the crash he drove on four occasions between 11 and 15 April to get to work at a gym in Newcastle, despite being warned not to drive and having no licence or insurance.
Prosecutor Simon Worthy told the court he thought the defendant would have been “a bit more sensible” about his actions, adding: “But no, you continue to stick two fingers up.”
Pic: PA
Pic: PA
BMW was ‘essentially at a stop’
Defending, solicitor Jack Lovell, told the court the defendant had shown genuine remorse for his actions.
He said he had been “very foolish” to get back behind the wheel after the crash, but had made full and further admissions about driving to work.
Mr Lovell added that Azarbonyad had panicked after catching the attention of police on the night of the crash, as he was aware he had no insurance and the woman had made reference to being in “possession of cannabis”.
“The defendant knew he should have pulled over immediately,” Mr Lovell said, adding that after getting on the A1 he did eventually slow down, put his indicators on and gestured out of the window with his hand to show he was braking, the court heard.
The scene on the A1 from above. Pic: PA
Mr Lovell said helicopter footage shows the BMW was “essentially at a stop” when an unmarked police Volvo, which had earlier reached speeds of 135mph, collided with the back of the car at around 80mph.
“From there, there is something of a domino effect, it flips over and then the other police vehicles are also involved,” Mr Lovell said.
“I am not in any way trying to excuse – he should not have been driving the vehicle, it is his driving that has led to the incident on the A1.
“He accepts that by way of his guilty plea.”
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Northumbria Police said a woman in her 20s would face no further action in relation to her arrest on suspicion of aiding and abetting dangerous driving.
However, she was bailed over suspected drug possession offences.
Azarbonyad was granted conditional bail and is due to be sentenced on 20 May at Newcastle Crown Court.
England and Scotland fans have found out where their World Cup group games will be played when the tournament kicks off in June.
England, who are in Group L, will begin their tournament against Croatia in Dallas at 4pm EST (9pm BST) on 17 June. They will then go on to face Ghana in Boston at 4pm EST (9pm BST) on 23 June and Panama in New Jersey, New York, at 5pm EST (10pm BST) on 27 June.
Scotland are in Group C, and their first match will be against Haiti in Boston at 9pm EST on 13 June (2am GMT the following morning).
They will go up against Morocco also in Boston at 6pm EST (11pm GMT) on 19 June and then Brazil in Miami at 6pm EST (11pm GMT) on 24 June.
Fans are expected to rush to sort their travel and accommodation plans now that they know where and when the matches take place.
Read more: Unapologetically political – a World Cup draw like no other
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England and Scotland learn World Cup fate
Wales and Northern Ireland have yet to find out if they will qualify.
Wales must face a play-off against Bosnia and Herzegovina in Cardiff, then either Italy or Northern Ireland, if they are victorious.
If they beat these play-off opponents, they will secure their place in Group B alongside Canada, Qatar and Switzerland.
However, Northern Ireland will also be vying to guarantee their spot in the same group if they can beat Italy and then either Wales or Bosnia and Herzegovina.
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World Cup 2026 – who England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland will play
Scotland and England now know who they will face in the group stage of the next summer’s world cup.
But the fates of Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland and Wales won’t be determined until they compete in pre-tournament play-off matches in March.
England are in Group L along with Croatia, Panama and Ghana. Their first match will be against Croatia, who beat them in the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
Pic: Reuters
Scotland’s first match will be against Haiti, in Group C.
Brazil and Morocco are the other Group C teams – both countries were also in the same opening group as Scotland in the 1998 World Cup in France.
Trump and Infantino at the World Cup draw
Wales have yet to find out if they will qualify as they must face a play-off against Bosnia and Herzegovina in Cardiff, and then either Italy or Northern Ireland, if they are victorious.
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If they can overcome these play-off opponents then they will secure their place in Group B along with Canada, Qatar and Switzerland. But Northern Ireland will also be vying and hoping to guarantee their spot in the same group if they can beat Italy and then either Wales or Bosnia and Herzegovina.
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‘Bring it on!’: Scotland fans react to World Cup draw
The Republic of Ireland also need to get through the play-offs first and are paired against the Czech Republic for their semi-final. Should Ireland win that match, they will need to beat either North Macedonia or Denmark to get to the finals where an opening group containing joint hosts Mexico, South Africa and South Korea awaits.
This was a World Cup draw like no other. Crafted less for the teams but for one man.
The choice of venue. The creation of a new trophy. The closing music act.
Donald Trump was lavished with the adulation he craves by FIFA President Gianni Infantino and feels others unfairly deny him.
Knowing how much being overlooked by the Nobel Committee hurt the US president, there was Mr Infantino with FIFA’s newly-created Peace Prize to hand over. And a medal for Mr Trump to wear.
“This is truly one of the great honours of my life,” he said. “And beyond awards, Gianni and I were discussing this. We saved millions and millions of lives.”
This was all on the stage in front of an audience who turned up to find out who they will be playing at the World Cup.
England handed an undaunting route past Croatia, Panama and Ghana. Scotland paired with newcomers Haiti before tricky reunions from their last men’s World Cup in 1998 against Brazil and Morocco.
Pic: Reuters
But the show before the draw could even begin – presided over by Rio Ferdinand – took almost as long as a football match, at 87 minutes after the noon kick-off was delayed.
There was a walk of self-promotion to complete – “I guess they have to wait” – before taking his seat in the Kennedy Center. Or the Trump Kennedy Center as the president takes to calling the venue picked 1.5 miles from the White House.
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England manager Thomas Tuchel reacts to draw
“It was falling apart,” he said, delaying the walk into the auditorium. “And now it’s, it’s pretty much back.”
Mr Infantino could only watch on, beaming, at his friend.
“We had a dead country,” Mr Trump went on, “and now we have the hottest country anywhere in the world”.
There was the awkwardness of being reminded, before receiving the peace accolade, about threats to launch military strikes on Venezuela to stop the drugs trade.
“I did settle eight wars, and we have a ninth coming,” he swatted away the question. “Which nobody’s ever done before. But I want to really save lives. I don’t need prizes.”
But FIFA knew how much he wanted more gold for the collection with the prize.
More on this story:
What draw means for England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland
Donald Trump and FIFA president Gianni Infantino. Pic: Reuters
Pic: Reuters
And for all the mockery and disdain targeted at FIFA, how many sports would relish having the US president spend several hours attending a procedural event determining the placing of teams in groups for a tournament?
How many would dish out the same flattery to secure direct lines to the leader of the nation staging their championship?
Many have benefited from Mr Trump’s stardust and swagger being attached to this spectacle.
Even Port Vale’s most famous fan – Robbie Williams – secured a walk-on role, exceeding his profile this side of the Pond.
And the Village People are reaping the rewards of becoming the unlikeliest of Trump hype acts.
The festivities ended with eyes fixed back up to the presidential seating and the YMCA dance being performed.
This was an afternoon that dispelled any pretence that FIFA keeps a distance from politics. It was unapologetically political. But few speak out in the FIFA world as the redistributed wealth keeps rolling back in their direction.
It would be easy to forget this isn’t entirely America’s World Cup. They’re sharing hosting with Canada and Mexico.
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‘Bring it on!’: Scotland fans react to World Cup draw
And eventually the spotlight was ceded to their leaders – very briefly – as Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney drew out their countries’ names.
But it did live up to FIFA’s mantra that football can unite the world.
The neighbours were brought together here on a snowy day in Washington. And tensions – often stoked by Mr Trump with Canada and Mexico – thawed in the name of football.
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