Brierfield banned driver in high-speed police chase

He went though a red light and a stop sign and hit two other vehicles before crashing his Ford Mondeo, rolling out and running off.

Iqbal (20), of Berry Street, Brierfield, was sent to a young offenders’ institution for 24 weeks when he appeared at Burnley Crown Court for sentence.

He had earlier pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, driving when disqualified, driving with excess alcohol and without insurance. The offences happened three months after he was banned for drink-driving.

Mr Stephen Parker, prosecuting, said Iqbal was first spotted speeding without lights at Westgate in Burnley. Later he was seen in Brougham Street. He was stationary, but when he spotted a police car he set off at speed, mounting a pavement to avoid a road safety chicane. “By then it was nearly 2am, but there were still people around on the street,” said Mr Parker. “Pedestrians looked on in amazement at what was happening.”

As police radioed for back up Iqbal drove down Hebrew Road, ignored the stop sign and headed up Colne Road at 70mph, narrowly missing a private hire car. The lights had just turned green as he reached Casterton Avenue, but he clipped about to set off from the lights. His driving was captured on CCTV by a following police car, and registered 83mph at the light as increased his speed to reach 85mph through Reedley before losing control where the road bends and becomes more narrow.

Iqbal collided with a van outside a bakery shop as he approached Brierfield, and when his car stopped he rolled out, got up and ran into the streets. When police caught him he made no comment. A breath test showed he had 61mg of alcohol in 100millilitres of breath; the legal limit is 35.

On Iqbal’s behalf, it was said he had been depressed for some time and took anti-depressants. On the night of the offence had been to a friend’s house and had a drink. His friends asked him to drive he accepted he had been foolish and acted inappropriately. He had since given up drinking and cut himself off from others who were influencing him, and he had the support of his family.

Judge Jonathan Gibson ordered Iqbal to pay a £80 surcharge. He was also disqualified from driving for three years and must take an extended test before he is allowed on the road again.