Star comment: It’s right to lock up this stupid man
It is easy to lose count of the number of offences racked up by Jahed Ahmed during what can only be described as a mindless spell behind the wheel.
The 18-year-old went on a four-mile rampage around the roads of the Black Country, hitting speeds of up to 90mph and only narrowly avoiding smashing into other motorists.
During the pursuit, Ahmed failed to give way at junctions and used a bollard as a roundabout.
He came within inches of hitting a mini-bus when he sped through a red light and continually refused to stop when told to do so by police officers.
Throughout the seven-minute chase, passengers in the car hurled objects out of the windows at chasing police.
It will come as no surprise to learn that the Ford Fiesta used in the incident did not belong to Ahmed, and that he had taken it from a family member without permission.
This disgraceful piece of driving – described as one of the worst a judge has ever seen – could easily have resulted in serious injury or death.
It must have seemed like a good laugh for Ahmed and his friends at the time.
You can be sure that the safety of pedestrians and other road users did not cross Ahmed’s mind when carried out this foolish act. Thankfully, the courts have seen sense and handed the defendant an eight-month sentence in a young offenders’ institution, despite it being his first offence.
All too often we see the perpetrators of similar crimes walk away from court with a suspended sentence.
For many victims of crime, the law can often seem to be heavily weighted in favour of criminals.
Ahmed, we are told, is a decent lad who prior to his moment of madness was working as a trainee engineer.
According to his legal representation, the thought of being jailed drove him to tears. At the Express & Star, we have no sympathy for him.
He should be thankful that he is not facing a far lengthier sentence for death by dangerous driving.
His rank stupidity and complete disregard for the law is thoroughly deserving of a spell behind bars. Hopefully he will learn from the experience and return to society a better person.
This newspaper will criticise the courts when we believe they have shown undue leniency. But occasionally our criminal justice system does get it right.
