Two people jailed after Barnard Castle police sting operation

Police were alerted after a Ford Transit was seen in the Barnard Castle area in the early hours of the morning.

Special Constable Salkeld, who was on night shift with Durham Roads and Armed Policing B relief team, identified the vehicle and linked it to recent rural thefts.

Two people have been jailed after a police sting operation on suspected rural thieves (Image: DURHAM CONSTABULARY)

Officers set up a stinger as the van headed towards Spennymoor while travelling in convoy with a Fiat Panda.

Both vehicles failed to stop for officers when instructed, but police had already moved into position further along the route.

With SC Salkeld in place, both vehicles were successfully stopped.

The driver of the Transit then attempted to ram officers before being stopped and arrested.

The suspected stolen quad bike in the back, with the matching key found on the driver (Image: DURHAM CONSTABULARY)

Officers searching the van found a suspected stolen quad bike in the back of the vehicle, with the matching key in the driver’s pocket.

Ashleigh Fairhurst, 36, of no fixed abode, and Kyle Wright, 26, of Spennymoor, were later charged and appeared before Newton Aycliffe Magistrates’ Court on April 2.

Fairhurst pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, having no licence or insurance, failing to stop and failing to provide a specimen of blood. She was sentenced to eight months in prison and disqualified from driving until April 1, 2030.

Wright pleaded guilty to disqualified driving, failing to stop and having no insurance. He was sentenced to eight weeks in prison and disqualified from driving until March 1, 2030.