Drink driver tried to escape police
OUT-OF-CONTROL drink driver Ahmed Saffee ignored a no-entry sign and failed to negotiate a roundabout as he was being pursued by police.
The 23-year-old was spotted driving erratically by police, and when they approached him, he tried to flee.
Officers followed him through Shelton and saw him make a catalogue of dangerous manoeuvres before failing to make it around a mini-roundabout.
Magistrates at North Staffordshire Justice Centre heard he was found to be almost twice the drink drive limit, and only held a provisional licence.
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Now Saffee has been banned from the roads and ordered to address his drinking.
Steve Knowles, prosecuting, said: "At 12.15am on December 1 officers saw a Toyota Yaris reverse from Spencer Road at speed, and carry out a 90 degree handbrake turn.
"Officers approached the vehicle to speak to the driver, but on seeing the officer the vehicle was driven off. Officers pursued the vehicle into Ashford Street, where the lights were turned out.
"The vehicle went the wrong way through no entry signs to Beresford Street, reaching 45mph in a 30mph zone.
"It carried on into Cauldon Road, failed to negotiate a small roundabout, clipped the kerb and came to a stop."
The court heard the weather was cold and the roads were icy.
Saffee failed to provide a breath test at the scene, but a sample in custody revealed his alcohol level was 62 mg in 100ml of breath. The legal limit is 35.
The court heard Saffee, of Etruria Vale Road, had been drinking because he had fallen out with his partner.
David Ellis, mitigating, said: "He went to speak to friends at a house and consumed alcohol because he was upset.
"He wasn't intending to drive but the other people at the property asked him if he would take them elsewhere. He initially said no, but unfortunately, having been asked on a number of occasions, he finally bowed to their request. "He realised very shortly after starting that journey that he ought not to be driving the vehicle.
"He saw the police vehicle and panicked.
"Rather than doing the sensible thing, he made the situation far more serious for himself by not stopping."
Magistrates were told Saffee apologised for his stupidity.
He was handed an 18-month community order with 18 months supervision.
He must also complete the drink impaired drivers programme and do 100 hours of unpaid work.
Saffee was also disqualified from driving for 18 months until he completes an extended test.
He must pay £85 costs and £60 victim surcharge.
4 Comments
by DoctorDo
Monday, January 28 2013, 12:00PM
“Quote: "He realised very shortly after starting that journey that he ought not to be driving the vehicle."
So, given that he was feeling that he shouldn't be in the car at all, why didn't he drive carefully? Why did he reverse at speed and perform a handbrake turn? These are not the actions of a remorseful man, they're the actions of a man showing off to his mates.
Another defendant who appears to have hoodwinked his counsel. Or it could be just another lawyer who doesn't care what they say so long as they get their Legal Aid fee. The courts should examine what these parasites say in defence of their clients, and if it doesn't stand up to scrutiny the courts should disregard it.”
by Karmonkarmoff
Saturday, January 26 2013, 12:12AM
“He will have been charged with no ins and driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence. They are standard ancillary charges in these cases, but he had probably pleaded to those already. No insurance is an 'absoloute' offence. You either have it or don't in any given situation and clearly here he hadn't. As this is the case, the Sentinel rarely mentions it as it is standard.”
by Potter46
Friday, January 25 2013, 6:04PM
“Whats wrong with the law, he should have been fined for only having a provisional license, and Backdoored is right NO INSURANCE. I would have said a 6 months in the clink and a 5 year ban + fine, to be fair.”
by Backdoored
Friday, January 25 2013, 2:18PM
“Drinking and driving is one thing -bad news for us all.
Driving without passing a Test is another ..No Licence. -mens a real danger is posed for other motorists and pedestrians alike.. And it means no Insurance -surely? Why was he not charged with the latter offence?
Driving Dangerously -the wrong way down a One-Way St -and 50% over the speed limit in a heavily built-up residential area. Hitting a roundabout -Dangerous indeed.
And fleeing the Law -attempting to escape justice -So that he could coninue with his dangerous attitude to other road users. I wonder how long he got away with if for. Must have been some time -for his mates to expect him to run them around.....
Considering all that -I reckon he should considrer himself lucky -very lucky. He probably does -and I can hear those mates saying to him now -"You got a result Saff lad -miss the old lift though".”