L-plate speeder jailed for crash

Businessman Sajid Mushtaq, 24, of Colne, was overtaking and on the wrong side of the road when he hit a car that then mounted the kerb and knocked down a pedestrian.

Mushtaq, who has never taken a driving test, was not insured and had a completely bald tyre, Burnley Crown Court was told.

He took little or no responsibility for the crash and claimed if the other car had pulled over further he would not have hit them, the judge heard.

The defendant, who had been trying to catch up with a motorist who had overtaken him and been "rude" at a roundabout, felt he was a good driver.

Three adults and two children suffered shock and injury in the incident -- in which Mushtaq clocked up to 40mph on the 30mph Burnley Road, the court was told.

Sentencing, Judge Beverley Lunt slammed Mushtaq's "breathtaking arrogance."

She said although Mushtaq, who had bought the car two or three days before the crash, was not racing in the way the courts used the term and had not had drink or drugs, only custody was appropriate. He was at significant risk of committing similar offences.

She continued: "If you had not been driving in the way you did this would never have occurred."

Mushtaq, of Netherfield Road, Nelson, admitted dangerous driving on June 17. He was also banned from the roads for two years and must take an extended driving test.

Patrick Williamson, prosecuting, told the court the defendant had a provisional licence and had never taken a full driving test. He had no previous convictions.

Mark Stuart, defending, said Mushtaq knew the seriousness of what he had done. The defendant overtook on a bend and should not have done.

Nobody was seriously injured, Mushtaq remained at the scene and the dangerous driving was over a short period of time, he said.

After working in the family business, Mushtaq had just opened a call centre. He was effectively head of the family after the death of his father and was earning a decent wage.