A personal trainer was taking a woman out on a first date when he caused a six-car pile-up on the A1 when trying to escape police, a court has heard.

Mazyar Azarbonyad, 20, of the town of Stanley, County Durham, was driving on the route near the Gateshead and Newcastle border at around 2.30am on April 9 when the smash happened.

He was taking a woman home from a first date when he was pursued by police, before the crash involving five police vehicles and a car – and which saw seven officers injured.

Shocking images show a battered car on its side next to the central reservation, while debris from the destroyed police cars was strewn all over the width of the carriageway.

One particularly badly damaged police vehicle was almost completely crushed, with several of its doors having fallen off.

Mazyar Azarbonyad (pictured, leaving court), 20, of the town of Stanley, County Durham, was driving on the route near the Gateshead and Newcastle border at around 2.30am on April 9 when the smash happened 

 He was taking a woman home from a first date when he was pursued by police. Pictured: A severely damaged police car at the scene of the crash

The crash (pictured, the aftermath) involved five police vehicles and a car – and saw seven officers injured

Azarbonyad admitted dangerous driving and failing to stop while behind the wheel of his powerful BMW that night when he appeared at Newcastle Magistrates’ Court today.

The Iran-born defendant, who came to the UK in around 2020, also admitted a series of other driving offences, including driving without insurance and a licence several times after the horrific collision.

Having been granted bail pending a court appearance, he admitted continuing to drive on four further occasions – despite bail conditions telling him not to drive.

In all these instances, he drove a Hyundai i10 to work at a gym in Newcastle city centre.

Before the ‘absolute carnage’ near the Derwent Haugh Road junction of the A1, officers were chasing the dark grey BMW. 

This triggered a large-scale emergency response with the fire service having to remove the roof from at least one police vehicle to get inside.

This is a breaking story – further updates to follow.  

 Shocking images show a battered car on its side next to the central reservation (pictured)

Debris from the destroyed police cars was strewn all over the width of the carriageway (pictured)

Azarbonyad (pictured, leaving court) admitted dangerous driving and failing to stop while behind the wheel of his powerful BMW that night when he appeared at Newcastle Magistrates’ Court 

One particularly badly damaged police vehicle (pictured) was almost completely crushed, with several of its doors having fallen off

The Iran-born defendant, who came to the UK in around 2020, also admitted a series of other driving offences. Pictured: The aftermath of the crash