Motorist in 142mphM-way dash escapes jail

A driver who was caught doing 142mph on the M606 near Bradford has escaped an immediate prison sentence after a court heard he was rushing to see his sick father.

Aqib Hussain, 33, had been told his father had suffered a suspected heart attack and was driving a hired Nissan Skyline sports car at about 3.50am when he was spotted by the West Yorkshire police helicopter.

A judge was yesterday shown footage from the helicopter's “heat-seeking” thermal imaging camera which clearly showed Hussain travelling at high speed along the near deserted dual carriageway into Bradford.

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At one point Hussain could be seen overtaking a car and he later undertook a lorry at about 60mph.

Police officers stopped Hussain’s car soon after and he immediately handed them a notice of intended prosecution which he had been given just 20 minutes earlier when he was clocked doing 109mph on the M1 near Wakefield.

Duncan Ritchie, prosecuting, told Bradford Crown Court that the helicopter footage was later analysed and it was calculated that the Nissan had been doing an average speed of 142mph over a distance of 1.3 miles.

Hussain, 33, of Washington Street, Girlington, Bradford, admitted charges of dangerous driving and speeding in respect of the two incidents that night in March, but Recorder Tim Hirst said the court was showing him mercy by suspending a 32-week prison sentence for 18 months.

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In addition he said Hussain would be subject to a supervision order which included a requirement to attend responsible road-users group.

The judge also ordered him to do 100 hours unpaid work for the community and banned him from driving for two years.

Lawyer Ann-Marie Hutton, for Hussain, said his father was refusing treatment and it was felt he was the only person who could persuade him to let the ambulance crew assist him.