Man Jailed for Pursuit at over 130mph
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Footage has been released after a man was jailed for driving a stolen car at over 130mph before crashing and hiding from Matrix officers in bushes on a roundabout.
44-year-old Lee John Oakley, of Coatham Road in Stockton, made off from police on Oxford Street in Hartlepool around 4am on Friday 2nd May 2025.
*** Jailed: Lee John Oakley pictured above ***
A pursuit took place along the A689, through Greatham and then back out on to the A689 at speeds of over 130mph.
The BMW, which was on false registration plates, eventually came to a stop when Oakley crashed it and he made off into bushes on a roundabout to try to evade police.
Officers searching the area found him in possession of suspected cocaine.
Footage from inside the police car shows the pursuit followed by officers looking for Oakley in the bushes on the A689 roundabout, before body worn video shows Oakley arrested and in handcuffs. Officers then carry out the breathalyser and drugs wipe procedure.
He was arrested and charged with multiple offences including dangerous driving, disqualified driving, failing to stop for police, driving under the influence of drugs and possession of a class A drug.
On Monday 19th January 2026, Oakley was sentenced to a total of 28 months in prison for these offences, plus a number of offences committed in York on 14th February 2025, which included dangerous driving, disqualified driving and drug driving.
Matrix officer, PC Nathan Hood, who investigated the Cleveland case, said: “Lee Oakley chose to make off from police and drive at tremendous speeds. He was disqualified from driving at the time and had taken cocaine, as he drove at over 130mph to try to evade justice.
“Not only did Lee Oakley put his own life at risk but he risked that of other road users and it will not be tolerated. To be convicted of these offences not only once, but twice within a matter of months, is astonishing and shows his blatant disregard for anyone else on the road.”