Student Drives Away From Court Just Minutes After Being Banned From Roads

Shaikh, a student at Manchester Metropolitan University, had pleaded guilty to causing serious injury by dangerous driving, having been involved in a collision with a woman on 18 November last year.

The court heard how the woman had been visiting her son, who is in permanent care at Manchester Royal Infirmary, on the day of the accident.

The case was adjourned so that a report could be prepared for Sheikh's sentencing, but ahead of the hearing Judge Timothy Smith banned him from the roads.

According to the MEN, Shaikh had been issued a verbal interim disqualification, and he had nodded to the judge before leaving court.

However, it seems Shaikh decided to ignore the order, as minutes later he was seen getting into his car, which was parked around 50 yards away from the court.

Shaikh, who is originally from Bradford, West Yorkshire, then drove off.

Greater Manchester Police confirmed they were looking into the incident and had seized a vehicle, with assistance from West Yorkshire Police.

At the plea and trial preparation hearing, Shaikh's lawyer had asked the judge to postpone his sentencing until he had finished his first-year exams.

Shaikh, who has no previous convictions, is due to be sentenced on 14 June.