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85mph drug driver escapes jail term
Reporter: Our Court Reporter
Date online: 03 December 2008
An off-licence owner has escaped jail after he admitted driving at speeds of 85mph through a residential area.
Naeem Shahid (36), of New Earth Street, Glodwick, was ordered to complete 120 hours of unpaid work after pleading guilty at a previous hearing to dangerous driving and possession of cocaine
Minshull Street Crown Court, Manchester, heard that Shahid, who runs an off-licence with his wife, jumped a red light and drove erratically for two miles before eventually stopping and running off.
When arrested, police uncovered a small bag of cocaine in his shoe, and traces of the class A drug in his system. They also found Shahid was not in possession of a valid driving licence or insurance.
Judge Roger Thomas QC said, “Anyone who drives like this, or with cocaine in their system puts everyone at risk.”
Earlier Ms Nicoletta Amatino, prosecuting, said that Shahid undertook vehicles in Park Road, Glodwick, and then started swerving in and out of traffic forcing drivers to take evasive action.
“He reached up to 85mph in a residential area, where the speed limit is 30mph. He then turned left on to a one way street the wrong way. He then got out and ran.”
Defending, Mr Paul McDonald said, “The defendant was remorseful afterwards.
“He simply panicked when he felt an officer had spotted him driving. “He was driving with some insurance but it wasn’t valid.
“This is a man who hasn’t flouted the law in some cavalier sense. He has learnt his lesson.
“He has some standing in the community. This is something he badly regrets.”
Shahid was also ordered to pay £300 costs.
Comments
It is time some consistancy in road traffic matters was brought about. Don't you think this sentance was too lenient. I bet the magistrates would have sentenced differently.
once again, this goes to show that law is an ass! I am flabbergasted that people, let alone people with "standing in the community" are allowed to have a blatant disregard not only for the rules in this country, but for other road users and for the public in general. He should have been locked up. It doesn't even say whether he lost the licence that he was not in possession of!!!
This idiot commited at least 4 offences, some of which cause danger to others. How on earth did he no receive a prison sentence when in the past pensioners have done so just for not paying council tax?
another slap on the wrist!!
Unbelievable - 120 hours for such a crime it is no wonder this Country is going to the dogs - was there no life driving ban or any ban involved?
what a disgrace,i got fined £70 around 15years ago for driving my brothers car without roadtax,i didn't know the car was not taxed.yet this man drove at 85 in a 30 zone no licence or insurance in posession of drugs went up a one way street the wrong way didn't stop for police and got 120 hours comunity service,..judgeRoger Thomas hold your head in shame,
I'm no highly paid legal eagle but it would seem to me that if the insurance wasn't valid then he was driving without insurance.
Dangerous driving, jumped a red light, 85mph in 30 zone,wrong way on one way st, no licence, no insurance, possession of cocaine, under the influence of drugs. This is not flouting the law in a cavalier sense? What the hell is then?? He has some standing in the community!! Hah b****y Hah!!
Although it's been 36 years since I was in England I feel the details of this offence should warrant a custodial sentence and there are many countries where he would lose his licence to sell alcohol.
The CPS should appeal this exceptionally weak sentence (but they won't and we can guess why not). Just because this lunatic has 'social standing' should matter at all in traffic offences. I am absolutely astounded at this sentence for such grave offences.
This is an absolute disgrace. The sentencing judge should retire, as he is obviously out of touch with society and justice.
Unbelievable, get a grip Mr Justice System. He could have killed someone and i bet he will do it again. You the justice system are there to protect the public by removing people like him from society. GET SOME BACK BONE.
bet if he was from royton or oldham he'd have been sent down. double standrads again.
Have Your Say
So let's get this straight. 85mph in a 30 zone, running from the police, driving under the influence of cocaine, posession of cocaine, no driving licence and no insurance...... and wasn't sent to jail.
If anyone thinks the "justice system" isn't totally broken try to justify this. Another "justice" outrage.
By OldhamWatcher @ 03/12/2008 16:00:08