Wheelchair towing prank ends in court

This is the moment a woman was caught on camera towing her friend from the back of her car - in a wheelchair.
CCTV still of Maria Adams towing a pal in a wheelchair, during a crazy prank in a Sunderland supermarket.CCTV still of Maria Adams towing a pal in a wheelchair, during a crazy prank in a Sunderland supermarket.
CCTV still of Maria Adams towing a pal in a wheelchair, during a crazy prank in a Sunderland supermarket.

Reckless Maria Adams, 20, dragged a pal around a supermarket car park while he clung to a towel attached to the back of her Nissan.

The crazy prank was caught on CCTV at a Tesco store in Roker, Sunderland, just after midnight on January 10 - with the duo even using a one of the store’s wheelchairs.

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Adams, of Whitburn, Sunderland, admitted dangerous driving and was sentenced to a community order for 12 months with a four month night time curfew.

CCTV still of Maria Adams towing a pal in a wheelchair, during a crazy prank in a Sunderland supermarket.CCTV still of Maria Adams towing a pal in a wheelchair, during a crazy prank in a Sunderland supermarket.
CCTV still of Maria Adams towing a pal in a wheelchair, during a crazy prank in a Sunderland supermarket.

She was also ordered to pay £1,369 costs bill and given a two year driving ban at Newcastle Crown Court.

Prosecutor Neil Pallister said: “She was towing a wheelchair, with a male sitting in it, around the car park. The wheelchair was one of Tescos, for use by customers.

“There was a piece of towel attached to the car, held by the man in the wheelchair as he was pulled along. The incident went on for about three or four minutes.

“Security guards feared for the safety of customers who were still frequenting the store and feared for the safety of the man in the wheelchair.

“He did not require a wheelchair, you see him get out and walk away unaided.”

Judge Penny Moreland told her: “I have seen the cctv footage of you driving a car in Tesco’s car park, towing around someone using a Tesco’s wheelchair.

“It is accurately categorised as a piece of stupidity. Risk was present to others using the car park.”

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Graeme Cook, defending, said Adams had never been in trouble before the incident and appreciates what she did was dangerous.

Mr Cook added: “It was an act of stupidity really, that is what it boils down to.”