Cops chased driver in city at up to 80
MONDEO HAD STOLEN TAXI PLATE
A DRIVER was caught on Deansgate with a stolen taxi plate on his Ford Mondeo – before he led police on a 20-minute high-speed chase.
Anas Abuhdaima, 26, initially stopped for officers in Manchester city centre after they pulled him over.
He then attempted to flee, driving through red lights, on the wrong side of the road and at speeds of up to 80 miles an hour.
Abuhdaima eventually stopped his car in Fallowfield, but ran from the vehicle and into a garden.
The force helicopter had to be used to track him down before his arrest.
Abuhdaima, of Moston, avoided jail after Manchester Crown Court heard he has ‘matured’ and was ‘remorseful.’
Prosecutor Jon Savage earlier told the court the incident happened just after 1am on December 19, 2018.
“Police had cause to stop the defendant’s vehicle, a Mondeo, on Deansgate, after receiving reports it was being driven as a taxi,” Mr Savage said. “There was a passenger in the front. “The defendant did stop when indicated to do so but when he was required to get out he drove away so the officer followed him.”
Abuhdaima drove along Deansgate and onto Chapel Street, where he went through a red light. He then drove onto Trinity Way on the wrong side of the road and along Cheetham Hill Road. He reached speeds of around 80 miles
an hour – the speed limit was 30.
“The defendant crossed several blind junctions without stopping,” Mr Savage added.
“The defendant then drove away again and led officers to Fallowfield, where he stopped on Bucklow Avenue and ran into a cul-de-sac. Abuhdaima was eventually arrested. His car was found to be fitted with a stolen taxi licence plate. The defendant didn’t have a driving licence.
Defence lawyer Harriet Tighe said her client, who has one previous conviction, had matured.
Judge Recorder Geoffrey Payne agreed to suspend Abuhdaima’s sentence as he said there was a ‘realistic prospect of rehabilitation.’
Abuhdaima, of Anfield Road, Moston, pleaded guilty to dangerous driving and was handed a nine-month jail sentence, suspended for two years, with 80 hours of unpaid work to do; 10 rehabilitation activity requirement days and an 18-month driving ban.