A man who chased two thieves on a motorbike they had stolen from his home has been jailed for 10 years. After killing one of them in a fatal accident.

Man jailed for killing motorbike thief in fatal crash: Mihai Dinisoae, originally from Romania, was sentenced to 10 years in prison on Wednesday for killing Josh Molloy, 28. Who was thrown from the bike and hit a lamppost when struck by Mr Dinisoae’s car. He was convicted of manslaughter after previously being cleared of murder at Newcastle Crown Court following a trial.

Mr Molloy and his friend had stolen the motorbike from outside Dinisoae’s house in Baldwin Avenue, Fenham on 5th May. Which started a high speed chase through the streets of Newcastle as he tried to catch up with them. Eventually he managed to knock them both off. And left them severely injured at the scene of the accident.

Molloy was pronounced dead at the scene while his friend, a 29-year-old man, was treated in hospital. Dinisoae claimed afterwards to police that although he had chased them they has lost control of the bike and he had not driven into them.

Northumbria Police Detective Inspector Joanne Brooks said there wasn’t “any doubt” that the defendant had lost control. However, she said he should not have taken the law into his own hands.

She went on to say “He made no attempts to alert authorities of the theft and instead tried to chase down the two men himself to get his hands on his property. The footage demonstrates just how mindless the actions of Dinisoae were that morning and he has ultimately led to Josh’s death.” After the police posted details of the incident on their Facebook page it caused strong reactions. With one person posting they would like to buy Mr Dinisoae a pint. While another said that if crimes go unpunished why shouldn’t people take vigilante action. The police posted encouraging words of respect for Mr Molloy’s family.

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