LLOYD SCOTT FROM SHERBURN INVOLVED IN HIGH-SPEED CHASE AND ASSAULT IN DURHAM

In a disturbing series of events that unfolded in the early hours of November 23, Lloyd Scott, a resident of Sherburn, was involved in a violent incident that culminated in a dangerous police pursuit and serious assault. The incident began when Scott's former partner, a woman, called Durham police at around 3 a.m. to report that she had been assaulted by Scott, who had shown up unexpectedly at her residence demanding to be taken to his mother’s house.

According to court proceedings, the woman agreed to drive Scott, but the situation quickly escalated. As they were on the road, Scott suddenly started shouting and, without any warning, punched her in the side of the face. This assault caused her to lose control of the vehicle, swerving across the road. During the struggle, Scott also pulled her hair as she tried to maintain control of the car. The woman managed to pull the vehicle over to the side of the road, but Scott’s aggression did not end there.

He leaned over, forcibly removed the keys from the ignition, and then exited the vehicle. Without hesitation, Scott approached the driver’s side, opened the door, and physically dragged his ex-partner out of the car. After leaving her stranded at the roadside in her dressing gown, Scott drove off in her Vauxhall Vectra. Fortunately, she was able to contact the police immediately following the assault.

Law enforcement units quickly responded and tracked Scott’s movements as he fled from Sherburn Hill towards Haswell Plough. Despite the police’s efforts to stop him, Scott refused to pull over and continued driving at high speeds. During the pursuit, police deployed a stinger device, which he drove over, but he persisted in his escape, maneuvering through residential streets in Haswell. During this reckless driving, a wheel was dislodged from his vehicle, further complicating the chase.

Eventually, police managed to box Scott in, but he responded by driving directly at police vehicles and reversing into them in a desperate attempt to escape. His arrest was ultimately secured after a tense standoff. A subsequent breath test revealed that Scott’s blood alcohol level was nearly double the legal limit for driving. The 27-year-old, residing at The Crescent, Sherburn Village, admitted to multiple charges including dangerous driving, common assault, aggravated vehicle taking, driving while disqualified, driving without insurance, and excess alcohol.

Scott’s criminal record was noted to include numerous motoring offences, highlighting a pattern of reckless behavior. During the court hearing, Steven Reed, representing Scott, expressed that his client was “ashamed and genuinely remorseful” for his actions. However, the presiding judge, Recorder Joanne Kidd, emphasized the seriousness of the incident, stating, “It’s only a matter of good luck that no-one was significantly injured and the car did not go off the road. This was against a backdrop of a truly terrible record for previous offences.”

As a result, Scott was sentenced to a total of 26 months in prison. Additionally, he was banned from driving for four years following his release. A restraining order was also issued, prohibiting him from contacting or approaching his former partner for a period of five years, in an effort to prevent further harm or harassment.