Danger driver jailed after driving in excess of 120mph in 30mph pedestrian zone
“We are happy to see he his is behind bars”
A disqualified driver who drove at speeds of more than 120mph in pedestrian zones has been jailed.
Bilal Havid was clocked by Durham Constabulary police officer as they patrolled Chester-Le-Street in the early hours of Saturday, June 5.
The 33-year-old sped past the officers in a BMW M4 Competition and a pursuit ensued where Havid reached speeds of more than 120mph in 30mph zones.
Officers deemed the pursuit too dangerous to continue and the BMW was lost, but 20 minutes later, Bilal was caught on CCTV hiding in an alleyway near the Co-op store in Pelton.
He was subsequently tracked down and arrested. Once in custody, he claimed he had been waiting for a woman and denied being the driver. Havid, of West Pelton, was charged with dangerous driving, driving whilst disqualified and having no insurance.
He pleaded guilty to all charges when he appeared at Newton Aycliffe Magistrates’ Court on Monday (September 7) where he was jailed for one year and five-and-a-half months and disqualified from driving for another three years.
Speaking following the sentence, Durham Constabulary’s Strategic Roads Policing Inspector, Andy Howarth said: “Havid’s manner of driving was extremely dangerous and thankfully no members of the public came to any harm during this incident.
“We are happy to see he his is behind bars and the roads of County Durham are safer for it.”