Drug driver jailed following a dangerous pursuit
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A Stockton man has been jailed for a total of 2 years and 16 weeks for dangerous driving, driving whilst disqualified and drug driving.
Lee Oakley, 44, of Coatham Road, appeared at Teesside Crown Court on Monday 19 January 2026, after previously pleading guilty to the offences.
As well as jail time, Oakley has been disqualified from driving for 61 months and ordered to take an extended driving test before he can apply for a new driving licence. He’s also been ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £187.
On Friday 14 February 2025 at 3.30pm, we received information that a blue Nissan X-Trail had been sighted heading into York via the A19, and was suspected to be on cloned plates.
Police Sergeant Neil Sisson from the Roads Policing Group, who was in a marked vehicle, spotted the Nissan heading towards him. A man who was later identified as Oakley was driving.
Due to Oakley making several unusual turns to see if he was being followed, and the information already gathered, another traffic officer was asked to reinforce a stop to prevent a pursuit.
As we stopped the Nissan, Oakley suddenly reversed and tried to drive round the rear of our car, colliding with the rear and causing around £1,000 of damage.
At this point, Oakley drove off and we began to follow him through York city centre. During the pursuit, he drove at excess speed, went through numerous red traffic lights and mounted the pavement on a number of occasions, causing pedestrians to jump out the way.
Oakley also collided with another vehicle, causing £300 worth of damage.
The pursuit carried on into a cul-de-sac, where Oakley tried to do a turn in the road. At this point, our traffic officer blocked him in, and Oakley ran from the car. Following a short foot chase, Oakley was arrested within seconds.
It transpired Oakley was disqualified from driving until May 2027. Due to the driving offences, he was also drug tested, and tested positive for cocaine.
The Nissan was also discovered to be bearing false number plates, and had been stolen from the Greater Manchester area around six months prior.
Speaking about the incident, Police Sergeant Neil Sisson from the Roads Policing Group said: “During the pursuit, Oakley drove dangerously with no regard for other road users, his driving clearly falling way below the standards of a careful and competent driver.
“The Roads Policing Group at North Yorkshire Police will continue to target and bring to justice drivers like Oakley who flout the rules of the roads, and put themselves and others at risk.”