Telford Audi driver fleeing police crashed at roundabout after 80mph chase
Judge says: “It is entirely a matter of luck no one was more seriously injured.”
A Telford Audi driver crashed after fleeing police at 80mph in a dangerous pursuit.
Umraz Masud, 29, of Roseway, Wellington, Telford, was sentenced at Shrewsbury Crown Court after pleading guilty to one charge of dangerous driving.
Rosemary Proctor, prosecuting, said that the A4 driver had been speeding away from two police motorcyclists in Telford - at times reaching speeds of more than 80mph in a 40mph zone.
The court heard the incident had taken place at around 1.40pm on Wednesday, April 20, 2022, on Mossey Green Way, the Beverley Roundabout, Wombridge Way and Wombridge Interchange.
Ms Proctor said that one driver had been at a roundabout when he heard a loud bang and saw Masud’s white Audi lifting into the air and hitting the central reservation.
As police arrived at the scene Masud was seen switching from the driver’s seat to the passenger seat.
The court was told that the Audi had hit a Mini, damaging a wing-mirror.
Ms Proctor also told of a woman who had been driving a Hyundai i20 which was hit by the Audi, which cut across in front of her vehicle, smashing into the car.
The court was told that before the Audi had reached the roundabout it was seen driving the wrong way round speed humps.
Ms Proctor explained that police had been pursuing Masud’s vehicle on blue lights.
One officer used the ‘bull horn’ to try and get Masud to pull over but he continued travelling at up 80mph, overtaking vehicles.
Ms Proctor said Masud’s driving had involved “highly dangerous manoeuvres”.
Thomas Griffiths, mitigating, said Masud had faced significant delay in the case coming to court - not all of which was his own fault.
He added that the 29-year-old was a man of good character, with no previous offences, and none since the incident.
Sentencing, Judge Trevor Meegan said: “The facts are serious. While driving your Audi you deliberately failed to stop for the police and instead accelerated to high speeds, exceeding 80mph in a 40mph limit.
“You were overtaking vehicles on the wrong side of the road, you failed to stop for roundabouts and were driving in a persistent manner that was dangerous.”
He added that several vehicles had been damaged with one driver being injured as a result.
Judge Meegan added: “It was entirely a matter of luck no one was more seriously injured.”
Addressing Masud Judge Meegan said he accepted that he had expressed remorse and had demonstrated an awareness of the danger his actions created.
He said probation had deemed him as a low risk of re-offending, and that a reference from his sister had described a “kind” and “caring” man for whom the offence was totally out of character.
Masud was handed a 16 month prison sentence, suspended for two years.
He will be subject to an electronically monitored curfew for six months, from 7pm to 7am.
Judge Meegan said: “It will be inconvenient. It will affect what you can do in your evening with regard to the family restaurant. However, it is meant as a punishment, it is not meant to be rehabilitation.”
Masud must also complete 150 hours of unpaid work as well as 10 rehabilitation activity requirement days.
Judge Meegan banned Masud from driving for two years, and he must take an extended re-test to regain his licence.
He was also ordered to pay £500 costs.