Row, then drink-drive boyfriend drove into wall

A TEENAGER without a driving licence drove his ex-girlfriend’s car into a wall while over the drink-drive limit.

But Raja Ali-Baseer (19), of Warcock Road, Clarksfield, escaped with a community punishment when he pleaded guilty to a range of driving offences yesterday at Oldham Magistrates Court.

Ali-Baseer, who is originally from Pakistan but is living in England on a student visa, was also charged with driving while uninsured, failing to stop when asked to by a police officer as he drove through Clarksfield, and driving without due care and attention before the crash, which caused minor damage.

The court heard how Ali-Baseer, who doesn’t have a valid UK driving licence, was visiting his then girlfriend at her home in Oldham, on March 12.

He got into the car following an argument, having had a few drinks, to keep warm and out of her way.

Chris Fallows, defending, said: “He then foolishly decided to start the engine and drive the vehicle a very short distance.”

Because he was driving without his headlights on, he was spotted by police, who then claim he sped up to try and get away from them.

However, Mr Fallows added: “I have seen the CCTV evidence and it is a lame excuse for a police chase. He was travelling at about 17mph. He did try to brake but his foot slipped, hit the accelerator and then the car hit a wall, causing very minimal damage to the wall and just a scratch to the car.”

When Ali-Baseer was arrested, he was found to have 98mg of alcohol in 100ml of breath. The legal limit is 80mg.

Ali-Baseer must now complete 200 hours of unpaid work, over a period of 12 months.