A student made an 'intentional decision' to speed through a red light at a junction, causing a horror crash.
Sabbir Ahmed, 24, previously pleaded guilty to causing serious injury by dangerous driving. At Minshull Street Crown Court, Recorder Hudson said it was 'only by luck' that the consequences of Ahmed's actions were not more serious - but decided not to send him to jail.
The court heard how Ahmed, of Vale Drive, Oldham, made a 'matter of seconds' decision to speed through a red light at the junction of Featherstall Road and Middleton Road in Oldham in his Volkswagen Passat on May 13 2021. He smashed into a vehicle crossing the junction correctly, causing serious injuries to two passengers that resulted in a brain bleed, extended hospital stays, and one of them spending time in a wheelchair.
Prosecuting, Mr Richards presented CCTV footage to the court, which showed Ahmed driving at a 'clearly excessive speed' and flashing the lights on his vehicle before overtaking a car waiting at the red light and crashing into an oncoming vehicle. He told of how one of the victims suffered injuries including a broken arm and femur and a bleed on his brain, resulting in a two week stay in hospital and two operations.
Mr Richards outlined how the victim continues to suffer flashbacks from the incident and his time in hospital. He was in a wheelchair for two months after the collision, and had to be helped by friends and family to do even simple tasks.
The other driver also suffered less significant injuries, but was forced to take two months off work and said he felt 'worried' about another accident when he heard cars with loud exhausts. He also had to undergo two operations due to his injuries.
Mitigating, Ms O'Brien told the court how Ahmed was a man of 'previous good character' with no previous convictions or history of trouble with the courts. She said he had been a student in his last year of studying for his law degree at the time of the collision, had since finished his degree, and was now working in the family business while considering his future steps. She also noted how Ahmed had not been under the influence of drink or drugs, and had stopped at the scene to assist police and victims after the crash.
"When he left his house that morning, at no point did he think that he would be involved in such a serious road accident," Ms O'Brien said, telling the court he had been 'dragged down by the weight of his guilt' ever since the collision, and would take his behaviour that night back 'in a heartbeat' if he could.
Sentencing Ahemed, Recorder Hudson said he 'appeared to have taken full responsibility' for his actions, and expressed 'insight into what could have happened'.
"This was a serious incident in which somebody could have been killed," she told Ahmed. "You have not attempted to minimise your offending. You say you felt unable to stop at the time. You have expressed significant remorse."
She sentenced Ahmed to a 12 month suspended sentence, 200 hours of unpaid work, and disqualified him from driving for two years.
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