A Sunderland man has been jailed after being caught driving whilst disqualified for the third time.
Syed Ahmed, 26, of Ranson Street, was pulled over in Brinkburn Street on 23rd April 2019 after eagle-eyed police officers spotted him using his mobile phone behind the wheel. Subsequent checks revealed that Ahmed was also disqualified and therefore uninsured to drive the vehicle.
Ahmed, who had previously admitted all three offences, appeared for sentencing at South Tyneside Magistrates' Court last Wednesday, 26th June 2019.
Prosecutor Rachel Glover said: "Officers could see the defendant clearly talking on his mobile phone.
"They stopped the defendant and he has initially given the details of Ali Ahmed.
"When they looked at the driving licence they have seen it wasn't this person."
Jason Smith, mitigating for Ahmed, told the court that his client understood the gravity of driving whilst disqualified and had attended with his prison bag packed just in case.
"What had happened is Syed was at home. He received a telephone call to say that his mum had been rushed to hospital with a suspected heart attack", Mr Smith said.
"She has no English and he panicked. He got into the car and he went to drive off knowing that he was placing himself at risk."
Ahmed received a 16 month driving disqualification in November 2018, but was caught behind the wheel only a few months later.
Chairman of the bench Win Clayton said: "There is no alternative but to send you to immediate custody.
"There is no reason to suspend this sentence as you have an unenviable record, you have a total disregard for court orders and you are a persistent offender at the highest level.
"To be a disqualified driver out driving on three occasions is unenviable. You have no respect for authority."
Ahmed was sentenced to 16 weeks immediate custody and ordered to pay £115 victim surcharge and £85 towards prosecution costs.
He also had his driving disqualification extended by 12 months.
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