Coroner will not hear evidence of driver’s killer

Jul 9 2009 by Neil McKay, The Journal

Earlier that morning Taylor, of no fixed address, but from Chester-le-Street, had broken into the home of Kevin and Claire Kendall in South Pelaw, Chester-le-Street, and stolen the keys to the truck, as well as a mobile phone and a bottle of gin.

Taylor, who was over the drink/drive limit, had six convictions for driving while disqualified.

Sgt Trevor Kelly, from the Durham Road Policing Unit, told how he had been the first officer to spot the Mitsubishi in the early hours of July 18 following reports of its theft.

He told the hearing he had been on patrol looking out for it, and had parked his patrol car on the motorway bridge at the junction with the A167 between Newton Aycliffe and Darlington when he spotted it approaching from the north.

Sgt Kelly said the pick-up left the motorway and began heading onto the A167 towards Newton Aycliffe. He followed it into the town’s Millennium Way and signalled for it to stop.

He said Taylor “looked directly at me” but did not stop, instead accelerated away back onto the A167 and from there back onto the motorway.

The hearing is expected to last five days.

Proceeding.