West Midlands driver jailed after deliberately running over pedestrians as violence flared outside nightclub
A driver has been jailed for more than 11 years after deliberately running over pedestrians when violence erupted outside a Birmingham city centre nightclub.
It began early on October 4 last year when a group of men were thrown out of the Tunnel Club following a dispute with a man inside.
Once outside, the group became confrontational and aggressive with the security staff and sought to get back into the club.
All were involved in kicking or punching at the door of the club and were repeatedly told to leave by the doormen.
Eventually, they made their way back to a Mercedes SUV vehicle which was being driven by Mohammed Suffi.
They could have chosen to leave, but instead they remained outside. They were intent on using violence towards the man they had argued with inside the club earlier in the evening.
As the club emptied the men got out of the Mercedes and having spotted the man leaving, they approached him and a fight erupted.
Mohammed Suffi, aged 22, then ran into nearby Water Street before getting into the driver’s door of the grey Mercedes.
He drove the vehicle at some speed towards people who had left the club and were stood in the road. People jumped out of the way, but some were struck by the car, albeit none seriously at that stage.
Having driven in that way, Suffi then drove around the block and back past the club intent upon further confrontation.
As Suffi drove past the club, his friend Gohari was shouting aggressively out of the car before Suffi pulled up. Gohari got out and immediately punched someone in the street.
Fighting began and Gohari ended up on the floor causing Hussain to get out of the vehicle. He briefly involved himself in the violence but then backed away and returned to the car.
Suffi then reversed and as he did so, Gohari and the victim, moved into the middle-of-the-road as they grappled with one another.
They were about a car’s length in front of the Mercedes when Suffi, having completely lost his temper, pulled quickly away and drove at the victim intending to hit him with the car.
As he did that the victim fell to the ground. He made no attempt to stop and instead continued forward driving over the victim with both sets of wheels. He also drove over his friend, Gohari who was towards the nearside of the car.
It was by sheer good fortune that no fatal injuries were caused.
Having driven in that way, Suffi drove to the top of the road, turned his car around and drove back down towards the club.
There were people in the road, and Suffi drove at them causing people to leap out of the way. As the injured victim was pulled onto the pavement by members of the public, Suffi veered towards another man who was stood in the road.
He struck him with the vehicle, causing him to fall to the floor, but fortunately, that man got up and was not seriously injured.
The victim suffered multiple fractures and told police after that he felt terrible pain and feared he would die. His injuries have been life changing.
The car was located in Oldbury the following day. A police investigation used CCTV, mobile phone, and witness evidence to identify Suffi as the driver, and the three other men as being involved in the violence.
Suffi went on the run and fled the country. He was arrested in June last year.
Last December at Birmingham Crown Court, Suffi, of Hampton Road, Aston, was found guilty of wounding. He had pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing to affray and dangerous driving.
Armaan Abid, 23, of Bayswater Road, Birmingham, Daanyal Hussain, 21, of Geraldine Road, Birmingham, and Mustafa Gohari, aged 21 of Broad Road, Birmingham, had all earlier admitted affray. All were sentenced on 27 February.
Suffi was jailed for 11 years and six months, and banned from driving for more than 10 years. He will have to serve two thirds of his sentence before he can be considered for release.
The other three men were each given 11 month prison sentences, suspended for 18 months.
Det Insp Michelle Cordell, from West Midlands Police's Major Crime Unit, said: “This was appalling violence by four men intent on retribution. In Suffi’s case, the use of a car as a weapon could easily have resulted in people being killed and it is by pure luck that they weren’t.
“Suffi clearly had no regard for others and in that moment, was determined to inflict serious harm. His sentence today delivers justice and my thoughts remain with the victim and his loved ones, as he continues to adapt and rebuild his life”.
