Doctor leaves court with driving ban ... and takes off in car

Medic warned he could be jailed if he repeats stunt

A doctor is facing jail after he was caught behind the wheel seconds after he was banned from the roads.

Salim Eqbal, 55, was disqualified after he was convicted of careless driving while uninsured.

But he was spotted by cops when he drove off after leaving the dock at Paisley Sheriff court.

Sheriff Euan Edment warned the medical consultant he would be locked-up if he repeated the stunt.

He said: “You are disqualified – you’re not allowed to drive.

“If you drive again, in all probability, you will be remanded in custody.”

Eqbal was first hauled into the dock after he sparked havoc on a busy motorway.

He forced other drivers to swerve out of the way as he charged towards them on the M8.

The doctor weaved his Toyota Prius between lanes without indicating and braked sharply before racing up behind other cars.

He then brought his black five-door hatchback to a stop at a junction where he had right of way after driving over solid chevrons painted on the road.

Eqbal then raced- off when it was unsafe to do so, causing others to take emergency action to avoid a pile-up last August 16.

He had insured his car but had lied to the insurance company about previous convictions, invalidating his insurance.

At court, the driver was disqualified for six months and fined £270 after admitting careless driving.

But he walked to his car after pleading guilty and drove off.

Cops caught him in nearby Springbank Road.

Defence lawyer Brian Murphy revealed his client’s career was in tatters and he was working as a security guard.

He said: “He is a fairly wellqualified person and was a medical consultant in Pakistan for many years.

“He came here and hoped to get work and had applied to the General Medical Council.

“He hopes to get work and was told he had to sit exams to get qualified here.

“Unfortunately, these matters are likely to go against him.

“He was hoping to take up a medical post in Scotland at some time in the future.”

Sheriff Edment warned the doctor he could be placed on a curfew when he returns for sentencing.

Eqbal, of Woodlands, Glasgow, has been ordered to return to court next month.

You are not allowed to drive. If you drive again, in all probability, you will be remanded in custody Sheriff Edment