Tactical Flight Officer jumps from helicopter to make arrests
Thursday 20 March 2025
When it comes to stopping dangerous drivers in their tracks, NPAS crews will pull out all the stops to support their colleagues on the ground - even jumping from an aircraft and making the arrests.
That was the case in Bishop Auckland last October, when a NPAS Newcastle crew was deployed to help Durham Constabulary officers catch up with two suspects who had fled across fields on foot after being pursued for riding dangerously on a motorbike.
Seeing an opportunity to hover low, the Tactical Flight Officer 'deplaned' and gave chase on foot, single-handedly detaining the two until officers reached them.
John Ashley Bentley, of St Helen Auckland, was charged with dangerous driving, drug driving and having no licence or insurance.
The 18-year-old appeared at Peterlee Magistrates’ Court on Friday (March 14) where he pleaded guilty to the offences.
He was given an interim driving disqualification and is due to appear for sentencing at Newton Aycliffe Magistrates’ Court on April 10.
His passenger, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was charged with aiding a dangerous driver, assaulting an emergency worker and driving with no licence or insurance.
The teenager is due to appear at Newton Aycliffe Magistrates’ Court on April 11. Read the full story by Durham Constabulary.
Dangerous driver stopped thanks to NPAS help | Durham Constabulary
