Killer driver gave false details to police near Carlisle
A DANGER driver who killed a mum has been brought back to court for getting behind the wheel despite still being banned -- and giving false details to police when stopped near Carlisle[1].Moneeb Arshad, now aged 32, was handed a prison term of two years eight months in the autumn of 2021.Minshull Street Crown Court heard Arshad had been driving an Audi which struck 44-year-old Halema Akhtar as she used a pedestrian crossing at Yorkshire Street in Rochdale on Sunday, 20th October, 2019.CCTV captured the tragic collision which occurred as Mrs Akhtar stepped into the road before the lights went green.Arshad's Audi was travelling at between 49-53mph as it approached the collision scene. Arshad reduced his speed to around 40mph at the point of impact."He realised the presence of Mrs Akhtar and applied full brake but due to the speed could not avoid hitting her," said prosecutor Sarah Johnston. Had Arshad been travelling at the correct speed, he would have been able to bring the vehicle to a complete halt.As a result, the tragic collision was deemed "avoidable".
The court heard Arshad's vehicle had been overtaking a Toyota before the crash.Mrs Akhtar, aged 44, was described as the "rock" of her family. In an impact statement read during Arshad's sentencing hearing, her brother spoke of her loved ones being "truly devastated". Halema was a great person to rely on.
Her three little babies have learned to stop asking 'when is mummy coming home'," he said. "These three little babies have been robbed of their loving mother. Every family event now begins with a visit to her grave."Arshad admitted causing death by dangerous driving after what his barrister described as a "collision of unfortunate circumstances". "The defendant is remorseful and has written a letter," said Wayne Jackson, mitigating. "He says it affected him and his family and he wrote 'I am sorry, sorry, sorry'."As part of his punishment, Arshad, of Stamford Street, Rochdale, was given a driving ban of six years four months and told to complete an extended re-test before his licence was returned.But Carlisle Magistrates' Court heard today (fri) how Arshad was caught driving a Peugeot 308, despite still being banned, on 17th April this year north of Carlisle."Just after 11-15, a police constable was on the M6 with a colleague near to junction 44," said prosecutor Scott Parker. "He conducted a stop of the vehicle in question. It was shown as having no insurance on police systems."The driver was the defendant (Arshad) but he provided false details."Arshad gave a false name and a different date of birth. "He had no identification on him to prove his identity," said Mr Parker. "The officer suspected it was false details.
Despite the officer suggesting this, the defendant was adamant the details he had provided were correct."Further enquiries resulted in police being able to find out who the driver actually was."Police also learned of his conviction and sentencing, in September, 2021, for causing death by dangerous driving; and that his ban runs until mid-December, 2027.In court today, Arshad admitted driving while disqualified, having no insurance and obstructing two police constables in the execution of their duty. "It is clearly aggravated by the previous conviction," said Mr Parker of Arshad's most recent offending.Speaking in his own defence, without legal representation, Arshad told magistrates: "I made a mistake. I am so sorry. I shouldn't have done it."Asked why he provided false details to police, Arshad said: "I panicked."Magistrates adjourned the case and asked that a probation service pre-sentence report be prepared.
Arshad is due to be sentenced at Tameside Magistrates' Court on 17th July, and in the meantime has been granted unconditional bail.