Quickly exit this site by pressing the Escape key Leave this site
We use some essential cookies to make our website work. We’d like to set additional cookies so we can remember your preferences and understand how you use our site.
You can manage your preferences and cookie settings at any time by clicking on “Customise Cookies” below. For more information on how we use cookies, please see our Cookies notice.
Your cookie preferences have been saved. You can update your cookie settings at any time on the cookies page.
Your cookie preferences have been saved. You can update your cookie settings at any time on the cookies page.
Sorry, there was a technical problem. Please try again.
This site is a beta, which means it's a work in progress and we'll be adding more to it over the next few weeks. Your feedback helps us make things better, so please let us know what you think.
A 22-year-old man who seriously injured himself after crashing his car in a bid to evade police has been spared jail after being handed a 12-month suspended prison sentence.
Mohammed Sultan caught the attention of officers from Northamptonshire Police’s Operations team when he joined the eastbound carriageway of the A45 at the Turnells Mill roundabout shortly after midnight on Friday, May 12, last year.
With no other vehicles on the dual carriageway, Sultan pulled straight across into the outside lane before driving erratically, accelerating at speeds of up to 100mph, as he headed towards Rushden Lakes.
Due to the poor manner of his driving, the officers followed Sultan’s blue Volkswagen Jetta, which slowed down to the national speed limits, which officers believe was a result of him noticing the police car driving behind him.
After turning on to the A500, officers activated the police car’s lights and siren to indicate that Sultan should pull over however, instead of stopping, he sped off reaching speeds of up to 60mph towards Wellingborough Road in Rushden.
As the car headed towards Rushden town centre, Sultan’s driving became more dangerous as he accelerated to 80mph in a 30mph speed limit, entering a roundabout junction at speed, overtaking two vehicles on a blind bend, and running a red traffic light.
He continued along Wellingborough Road, where he collided with the front garden wall of a residential property, causing the car to catch fire. Fortunately, Sultan had already got out of the vehicle and was lying on the pavement.
As a result of the collision, Sultan, of Bedford Road, Sandy, Bedfordshire, sustained a serious injury to his left kneecap, which was broken into four parts and required surgery at University Hospital Coventry.
Sultan was subsequently charged with driving a motor vehicle dangerously, driving otherwise in accordance with a driving licence and driving without insurance, and on November 23 last year, he pleaded guilty to all three offences at Northampton Magistrates’ Court.
His case was sent to Northampton Crown Court for sentencing and on Friday, January 26, Sultan was handed a 12-month prison sentence, suspended for 15 months, and disqualified from driving for 18 months and ordered to pay £550 compensation.
Following sentencing, lead investigator PC Ed Butler of the Force’s Operations Team, said: “Prior to the collision, Sultan showed a total disregard for himself, and other road users and he drove at excessive speed, overtaking on a blind bend and running a red light.
“It was through his own recklessness and unnecessary risk-taking that he sustained a serious knee injury, which required surgery. The manner of his driving fell well below the legal requirements, and it was pure luck that his injuries were not more severe, if not fatal.”
Tragically in 2022, after being involved in a road collision in Northamptonshire, 36 people never returned home safely to their loved ones, and 347 required urgent medical assistance for serious and life-changing injuries.