Shipley man banned for drink-driving on Cumbrian A66
Zaheer Quarashi, 42, appeared at Carlisle[1] Magistrates' Court on Monday (April 13) and admitted driving a motor vehicle with alcohol above the prescribed limit. Prosecutor George Shelley said Quarashi, of Aireville Grove, Shipley, Bradford, was driving a blue Ford Transit van along the A66 in Cumbria on March 21, 2026. "It was around 2.30 pm on the A66 eastbound.
He was involved in a road traffic collision, and damage was caused," said Mr Shelley. "Mr Quarashi was pulled over by officers 15 minutes later in a nearby lay-by, and a roadside test measured 55 microgrammes of alcohol in breath." When taken to custody, a further test recorded 63 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath, almost twice the legal limit. The legal limit is 35 microgrammes in 100 millilitres of breath.
Defence solicitor Duncan Campbell said Quarashi was very apologetic and had been under emotional strain. Mr Campbell said: "He was going through a difficult time and made a miscalculation." Mr Campbell added that the other driver was at fault for the collision, no insurance claims had been brought against Quarashi, and the damage was minor.
The court heard Quarashi had 35 convictions for 65 offences, some of a similar nature, and had lost his job following the incident. "His previous convictions go back a considerable amount of time, and he describes himself as 'off the rails' at that time. He has been out of trouble for a considerable period," added Mr Campbell.
Magistrates told him: "We are disappointed that you have four previous offences of this kind, yet here you are again back in court with us."
Quarashi was banned from driving for 20 months, to be reduced by 20 weeks if he completes a drink-driving course by May 2027.
He was also fined ?281, to be deducted from his benefits.