A MAN is due in court on Saturday charged with recklessly endangering the lives of drivers on the A64.

A 21-year-old from Leeds was arrested on Thursday afternoon following a chase through gardens and into the Designer Outlet which involved North Yorkshire Police’s new drone team and the police helicopter.

A total of 17 cars and a motorhome were damaged when a topless man allegedly hurled debris at them from the central reservation and side of the A64 close to the slip road to the A19 and the York Designer Outlet.

A North Yorkshire Police spokeswoman said a 21-year-old man has been charged with criminal damage, recklessly endangering life and attempted wounding of a police officer.

Police received calls just before 4pm on Thursday, May 3, from distressed motorists reporting a shirtless man walking alongside the A64 near Fulford, who was throwing stones and wood at passing vehicles.

Detectives have issued an appeal to any drivers who were travelling along the A64 at the time and who captured any dashcam footage of the incident to contact them by phoning 101, selecting option two and asking for Mike Holden.

Alternatively, email Mike.Holden@northyorkshire.pnn.police.uk.

The spokeswoman thanked residents in the Fordlands Road area for assisting at the scene on Thursday.