A SPEEDING, banned drink driver who left a cabbie possibly needing reconstructive surgery after smashing into his taxi has walked free from court.
Burnley Crown Court heard how Rizwan Shah (24) was being chased by police before they backed off to avoid a crash. Taxi driver Nadeem Azam was found slumped over his steering wheel, bleeding heavily and suffered severe facial injuries. His passenger, Linda Bloomfield, was also injured.

Shah, who runs a vehicle bodywork shop, was twice the limit and had earlier been banned for excess alcohol.

The defendant, of Albert Street, Nelson, admitted driving while disqualified, having no insurance, excess alcohol and dangerous driving. He was given 12 months in jail, suspended for two years, with supervision, the Drink Impaired Drivers' Programme and a five-month curfew, between 7-45 p.m. and 7-45 a.m. He was banned from driving for three years, must take an extended re-test and was ordered to pay £420 compensation and £245 costs.

Sentencing, Judge Christina Lyon told the defendant it was a matter of luck he did not kill anybody.

Mercedeh Jabbari (prosecuting) told the court last August, just before midnight, police followed a Peugoet from the Daneshouse area of Burnley. It was weaving and going over the centre white lines.

Officers tried to stop the car in Colne Road but Shah did not respond and started overtaking vehicles between the Oaks Hotel and Reedley Magistrates' Court.

Miss Jabbari said the defendant increased speed and overtook several vehicles on a blind bend within a pelican controlled area. The police abandoned the chase to avoid risk to other road users but a short time later came upon a serious accident involving the car and a taxi.

The cab was in the middle of the road, extensively damaged. The Peugeot was on the pavement, wedged against a wall. Both the defendant and his passenger had to be cut free by emergency services. Shah gave a breath test showing 78 microgrammes of alcohol in 100ml of breath - the legal limit is 35. Traces of cannabis were also found when he had a blood test at hospital.

The prosecutor said Mr Azam had to have stitches to his eyelid. He will be permanently scarred and was told he may need reconstructive surgery. Miss Bloomfield blacked out several times after the crash and was badly bruised.

Shah agreed he was in the vehicle that crashed, but claimed he was not the driver. He said he might have ended up in the driver's seat after panicking as he could not get out of the back of the vehicle.

Hugh Barton (for Shah) described him as a combination of good and bad traits. He did have positive qualities and had set up his own business, working long hours, and employed two others.

The defendant had ingrained views about his driving which were unacceptable. The Drink Impaired Drivers' Programme would address his attitudes and a family friend planned to take him on an RAF character building course.

Mr Barton added Shah's family was appalled he was in court."He could have no complaints whatsoever if he received an immediate custodial sentence," he said.

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