A personal trainer caused a major crash involving seven police officers, resulting in approximately £250,000 worth of damage to police vehicles. Mazyar Azarbonyad, who hit speeds of 120 mph during a police pursuit, was sentenced to 14 months last June. The crash occurred on the A1 near Newcastle at 2:30 am on April 9 the previous year.
After serving four months of his sentence, Azarbonyad was released but has now been taken back into custody for breaching his bail conditions. He was on licence for seven months before the recall. The Prison and Probation Service emphasized their commitment to sending offenders back to prison if they violate the rules.
Azarbonyad, released from a young offenders institution in October last year, was recalled for breaching conditions that suggested increased risk to the public. He was under strict supervision by the Probation Service, with specific living and working conditions.
Recently, Azarbonyad was returned to custody for breaching the conditions. In a separate incident, Adam Carruthers, a Sycamore Gap vandal, was released after serving 10 months of a four-year and three-month sentence, requiring him to wear a tag while on licence. His co-accused, Daniel Graham, remains in prison with a potential release date of January 2027.
Courtney Redfern, Azarbonyad’s first date, pleaded with him to stop as he drove at high speeds, ultimately leading to the crash. Azarbonyad abruptly decelerated during the pursuit, causing a collision with a police vehicle. He was also banned from driving for three years due to previous driving offenses.
Azarbonyad, then 20 years old, admitted multiple charges related to the crash involving five police cars and a BMW, resulting in seven police officers being hospitalized. Despite coming clean about the incident, Azarbonyad was taken back into custody for breaching conditions and posing a potential risk to the public.