Former Carlisle United striker Gary Madine has been handed a suspended prison sentence after crashing his car then running away from police.

The 33-year-old must also carry out 250 house of unpaid work and has been banned from driving for 12 months after the incident which took place on April 3 this year.

Newcastle Crown Court heard how Madine, in his home town of Birtley, Gateshead, crashed his Range Rover into a parked Ford Focus at around 1.50am, then ran off.

He was charged with driving a motor vehicle dangerously, driving in a public place without due care and attention, failing to stop after a road accident, failing to stop when required by a constable or traffic warden, and failing to give information relating to his ID when required.

Dashcam footage released by Northumbria Police showed Madine's Range Rover weaving in and out of streets before crashing into a Ford Focus.

Madine continued driving before finally stopping and getting out of the car along with a passenger - both men then running away from the police.

Prosecutor Mark Atkins said: "The vehicle began to make off and ignored instructions by the police to stop. The police officer got into his car and followed the defendant and activated his blue lights and siren.

"During the police pursuit, he drove dangerously. There's footage of the pursuit from the dash cam of the police car.

"During the chase, the defendant collided with a white Ford Focus parked outside a house. on a path."

Madine pleaded guilty to the charges and his solicitor said the footballer - who is currently a free agent whilst recovering from a serious knee injury - admitted he had been "stupid".

Shaun Routledge, defending, said: "2023 has been a difficult year for him, his relationship of some years ending and he suffered a serious injury which led to nine months of rehabilitation and not being able to perform the job he has done for many years.

"He was feeling very low in April."

The defence solicitor added that Madine had received "offers from other clubs" when he returns to fitness but added: "It may be he gets a way back into what he has done all his adult life but he may not.

"He realises what he did was ridiculously stupid."

Recorder Paul Reid said: "It's a mystery why people in your position do this.

"I suspect you made off from the police because you didn't want to be breathalysed but I disregard that, the circumstances of this are bad enough.

"I'm impressed with the pre-sentence report and character references and the letter you have written yourself.

"You described this as an act of stupidity. It's fortunate it didn't result in worse damage or injury to other people."

Madine started his career as a youth team player at Carlisle United and went on to make 85 appearances, scoring 22 goals, before being sold to Sheffield Wednesday in 2011.

He returned to the Blues on loan in 2014 and made five appearances, scoring two goals.

His most recent club was Blackpool.