Motoring offender caught after taking the wheel to stop pal drink-driving

A motoring offender has been fined and banned from the road after he opted to drive his friend's car for him because he feared his friend was over the drink-drive limit.
Chesterfield magistrates' court.Chesterfield magistrates' court.
Chesterfield magistrates' court.

Chesterfield magistrates’ court heard on July 18 how Abdullah Hamade, 33, was caught by police driving between Matlock and Buxton without a licence and without insurance on Burlow Road, at Harpur Hill, Buxton.

Prosecuting solicitor Becky Allsop said: “Circumstances are that the police stopped a vehicle driven by Mr Hamade on July 3.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“It was followed from Via Gellia Road to Harpur Hill, at Buxton, and he was interviewed in relation to the offence and stated he was driving the vehicle at the time he was stopped by police officers after he had swapped places with his passenger in Ashbourne.”

Hamade, of Norton Street, Radford, Nottingham, who has previous convictions, pleaded guilty to driving without a licence and driving without insurance.

Defence solicitor David Gittins said: “He was out with a friend who he told was the owner of the vehicle.

“He said he was not going to let him drive because he had had some drinks. He thought he was doing the right thing not to let his friend drink-drive.”

Magistrates fined Hamade £120 and endorsed his licence with penalty points so he was disqualified from driving for six months.

He must also pay a £30 victim surcharge.