Motorist in police chase drove wrong way on A34
A motorist who took his brother's car and led police on a chase - going through red lights and driving the wrong way on a dual carriageway - has been spared an immediate prison sentence.
Shazeb Khan, a part-time phlebotomist at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham, reached speeds of 80mph in a 40mph limit as he tried to escape officers in pursuit, Wolverhampton Crown court heard.
The 22-year-old sped through Sandwell and Great Barr before he was eventually stopped when police laid stingers in his path - although Khan still tried to continue his escape, despite two deflated front tyres.
Mr Edward Soulsby, prosecuting, said Khan, who also works at McDonald's, took his brother's car without his knowledge on March 30 this year. Officers spotted the car after his brother reported it missing.
When Khan realised the police were on his tail, he started driving at excessive speeds, pushing through traffic and going through a red light. On the A34 Walsall Road, he did a U-turn and drove for 100metres on the wrong side of the road. He was finally stopped in Perry Avenue, Great Barr.
Khan, of Whitton Street, Wednesbury, pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, aggravated vehicle taking and driving without a licence or insurance.
Defending himself, he said he 'panicked' when he realised police were following him. He said he had been going though a bad phase at the time due to a difficult family situation.
He was given a nine-month prison sentence suspended for 18 months, ordered to carry out 150 hours' unpaid work and pay £340 court costs.
Judge Michael Challinor told him: "You have been lucky but I take the view that you made a very bad mistake and won't repeat it."
