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Chronicle Live
National
Rob Kennedy

Danger driver left this trail of destruction by smashing through front of tanning salon

This is the scene of destruction caused by a danger driver who smashed his car through the front of a tanning salon.

Blaine Gilby caused extensive damage when his Volvo careered into the Tan Solo shop, on Ryhope Road, in Sunderland, on August 6.

Nobody was seriously injured but a teenage boy, who was in the shop at the time, was taken to hospital as a precaution.

Damage caused after a car was driven through the front of Tan Solo in Sunderland (Northumbria Police)

An investigation was launched and the vehicle involved was found abandoned in the Villette Path area of the city after Gilby fled the scene of the accident.

At Newcastle Crown Court Gilby, of Hewitt Avenue, Sunderland, has now admitted he was the driver.

The 31-year-old pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, threatening another with an offensive weapon, assault on an emergency worker, damaging property and assault.

He denied two charges of attempting to cause grievous bodily harm, which have been dropped.

Steven Reed, defending, said "custody is inevitable" but applied for pre-sentence reports to be prepared.

Tan Solo on Ryhope Road in Sunderland. GV (newcastle chronicle)

Judge Julie Clemitson adjourned the case until November 7.

The judge said Gilby has "significant convictions for violence" and reports into his background and future risk would be helpful to the court.

Judge Clemitson remanded Gilby in custody until the next hearing and warned him: "The pre-sentence report will assist only as to length of the inevitable custody sentence, as you need to realise."

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