Qureshi was travelling at least 135mph on the motorway
Mohammed Qureshi, aged 29, of Levenshulme, Manchester, was jailed for 10 months after he led police on a 135mph chase. The aspiring taxi driver had taken cocaine.
The pursuit came to an end when he flipped his car.
Qureshi had hopes of becoming a taxi driver and previously worked as an Uber Eats driver.
According to his lawyer, Qureshi “panicked” after initially being stopped by police, as he had taken cocaine, had the drug on him and was not insured to drive his car.
Manchester Crown Court heard that some of his friends had encouraged him to take cocaine as he was suffering a “low mood” following the breakdown of his relationship.
Police in an unmarked car spotted Qureshi driving a black Seat in Cheetham Hill at 10:30 pm on October 8, 2019.
They became suspicious after finding that the car was insured to his mother.
Qureshi was pulled over and told to get out, however, he sped off, reaching speeds of 70mph in 30mph areas.
He overtook other cars and went through red lights. He later joined the M60 at junction 19 heading towards Bury.
Gavin Howie, prosecuting, said that Qureshi was travelling at least 135mph on the motorway as officers were “not making much progress” when pursuing him.
Qureshi then joined the M66, again heading towards Bury.
At one point, Qureshi turned his lights off on the motorway, where there were no street lights on. He later turned them back on.
Police decided it was no longer safe to continue the pursuit.
Further down the carriageway, Qureshi lost control and crashed, flipping onto the car’s roof. The vehicle was said to be “completely written off”.
Qureshi tried to flee but was wrestled to the ground by officers where he apologised.
The chase lasted for about 15 minutes, covering approximately five miles.
He was taken to hospital but Mr Howie said Qureshi was “very very fortunate” not to have been seriously hurt.
Qureshi pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, driving while under the influence of drugs, possession of cocaine and driving without insurance.
Robert Lassey, defending, said Qureshi had made a “series of poor judgements”, and had “panicked” when he was pulled over by the police.
Mr Lassey said that Qureshi was completing a course at the time in the hope of becoming a taxi driver, a career he can no longer pursue because of his convictions.
He said the incident was a “one-off”, saying Qureshi had worked since leaving school, in driving jobs including being a driver for Uber Eats.
Mr Lassey urged the judge to spare Qureshi prison, saying any sentence would have a negative effect on his mother, who he lives with and shares bills with.
However, Judge Suzanne Goddard QC told Qureshi:
“This was a very deliberate period of driving on your part, in your attempt to get away from the police when members of the public were put at great risk.”
Qureshi was jailed for 10 months. He was also banned from driving for two years and five months.
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