A disqualified driver who was out of prison on licence, has been jailed for an additional four years, three months, after being caught behind the wheel.
Wasim Iqbal (26) of Chorley New Road, Bolton was sentenced at Bolton Crown Court on Monday, after pleading guilty to driving whilst disqualified, dangerous driving, driving without insurance and possession with intent to supply class A drugs.
Back in July, the Safer Roads Targeting Team (SRTT) were tipped off that a man who was disqualified from driving was back behind the wheel of a vehicle in Bolton.
Iqbal had been released from prison on licence, having caused the death of Bolton mayoress Gay Wharton in 2020.
Officers in an unmarked police vehicle identified that the driver of a grey BMW 3 Series was Iqbal and followed him down Chorley New Road.
Before officers could use tactics to stop the vehicle, Iqbal made off at top speed, going through red lights.
Police pursued the car, which eventually came to a stop after colliding with a bus.
After a short pursuit on foot, Iqbal was arrested for driving whilst disqualified, dangerous driving, driving without insurance and possession with intent to supply class A drugs.
“Another driver off the streets”
PC Tom Berry and PC Matt Sale of the Safer Roads Targeting Team said: “Iqbal’s actions back in July shows that he has not learnt by his mistakes which saw him spend time in prison for causing death by dangerous driving back in 2020.
“During this pursuit, Iqbal even sped past the scene where he and his co-accused had caused the death of mayoress Gay Wharton only three years prior. His disregard for the law and the way he drove that evening could have been fatal. Thankfully that was not the case.
“This sentencing sees another dangerous driver off the streets, and it is another step towards making the roads of Greater Manchester a safer place to be, something that the Safer Roads Targeting Team is very passionate about.
“We encourage the public to let us know about unlicensed and uninsured drivers like Iqbal so they can be taken off the streets and brought to justice”.
