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Two men have pleaded guilty to stealing a BMW which they later crashed into a care home during a police chase in Sunderland. The incident in July, saw the stolen vehicle plough into Highcliffe Care Home in Sunderland, with two elderly residents dying soon after.

Reece Parish, 21, of Fordham Road in Sunderland, joined his co-accused Sam Asgari-Tabar, 21, of no fixed address, in pleading guilty to robbery. The pair both pleaded not guilty to kidnapping a woman who was in the car at the time of the crash. Asgari-Tabar, of no fixed address, had previously admitted robbery and causing serious injury by dangerous driving to an elderly care home resident who suffered spinal fractures when the car smashed into the building, punching a large hole in the structure.

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has since confirmed that it will not pursue kidnap charges against the pair but that the charges will remain on file.

The two will now be sentenced on October 17.

Northumbria Police began following the stolen BMW 3-series at around 9.20pm following reports of its theft from an address in Newcastle.

15 minutes later, it crashed into the care home in Witherwack, injuring two residents, a woman in her 80s and another in her 90s, who later died.

Police confirmed that another eight residents were injured in the incident and required hospital treatment.

Pictures from the scene show severe damage to the side of the building, with a hole smashed through it and masonry and debris lying all around.

Judge Robert Spragg said: "You have both very sensibly pleaded guilty to these matters and you will be given credit for that from the sentencing judge in due course."

After the hearing, Chief Superintendent Mark Hall, of Northumbria Police, said: "This was a shocking incident in one of our communities - the actions of both men that night were incredibly reckless.

"I am pleased the swift and diligent work of all involved in our investigation left them with no choice but to admit their guilt at court."

Northumbria Police confirmed on Tuesday that the two men will not face charges over the deaths of the two women.

The force said: "Following the incident, two care home residents died a short time later but no criminal proceedings are to be brought in relation to the deaths."

Christopher Knox, for Parish, said the defendant was "regretful and apologetic" about what happened.

At the time of the crash, Asgari-Tabar was subject to a suspended sentence imposed in May, the court heard.