Grandfather Jailed After Targeting Sleeping Elderly Couple in Newcastle Burglary and Leading Police on 115mph Chase

WEST DENTON, Newcastle — A serial burglar has been jailed for nearly four years after raiding the home of a sleeping elderly couple, stealing their vehicle, and leading police on a dangerous high-speed pursuit reaching speeds of up to 115mph.

The Break-In

The incident took place at around 1:00 AM on December 20, 2023, in a block of flats in West Denton, Newcastle. Anthony Johnson, 42, forced entry through the front door of the flat, snapping the safety chain. The female occupant, who is in her 80s, woke up to find Johnson in her bedroom. Although she managed to shout at him to leave, Johnson returned moments later to steal more cigarettes and her prescribed medication. He then stole a Vauxhall Mokka belonging to the woman's husband, which was parked in a disabled space outside the building.

High-Speed Pursuit and Crashes

At around 9:00 AM the following morning, police spotted the stolen vehicle in Hexham. When officers attempted to pull him over, Johnson accelerated, initiating a high-speed chase. He drove at speeds of up to 115mph, losing control at one point and crashing into barriers before continuing. Fearing for public safety, police aborted the pursuit.

Johnson subsequently crashed the Vauxhall Mokka through a fence and into a field in the Wallridge area of Northumberland. Bleeding from a head injury, he abandoned the car and began knocking on doors in the remote community, trying to convince residents to call him a taxi. He then traveled on foot to Belsay, where he stole a Ford Ranger. He crashed this second vehicle into a ditch a few miles away, stealing the owner's jacket before fleeing.

Arrest and Sentencing

When police finally apprehended him, Johnson gave a false name and later refused to provide a blood sample, citing religious and medical exemptions. Newcastle Crown Court heard that Johnson, of Lowbiggin, Newcastle, is a grandfather with 79 previous convictions, including 10 prior burglaries.

He pleaded guilty to two counts of burglary, three counts of theft, dangerous driving, driving without insurance, driving otherwise than in accordance with a license, obstructing police, and failing to provide a specimen. Recorder Richard Herrmann sentenced Johnson to a total of 47 months in prison.