Driving ban for police chase charity worker

Deepak Riat 'could have easily killed a child' as he raced his powerful BMW through the streets of Smethwick and Winson Green, Wolverhampton Crown Court heard.

The 26-year-old was pulled over by police at 5.20pm on April 6 after officers noticed the 5 Series speeding through Cranford Street. He was stopped but sped off.

"The speed limit was 30mph in all of the roads he drove through, it was a mainly residential area, but he overtook five or six cars on the wrong side of the road," said Mr Mark Rees, prosecuting.

"He was travelling at speeds of 50 to 60mph, and made vehicles travelling in the opposite direction take evasive action.

"Because of the speed and the nature of the streets he was travelling through, police decided to abandon the pursuit," said Mr Rees.

However, police spotted the car again a few moments later and, despite Riat running off, he was finally apprehended.

Riat, of Okehampton Drive, West Bromwich, was sentenced to 200 hours community service and a 12-month community order at Monday's hearing, as well as being banned from driving for 18 months and told he would need to take an extended test before he would be allowed to drive again.

He was also ordered to pay £375 court costs and a £60 victim surcharge.

He had pleaded guilty to dangerous driving at an earlier hearing.

Judge Alan Parker told Riat: "Your driving could have easily killed a child. If a child had come out running between parked cars, he or she could have been killed."

Mr Sunit Sandhu defending, said:"It was an act of stupidity. He was insured, he had a driving licence, and there was no drink or drugs in his system."

Mr Sandhu added Riat's appearance before the court had been a salutary lesson. Judge Parker said he believed Riat, who had borrowed the BMW, was putting it through its paces.