Bolton: Banned teen driver caught with cannabis wraps

Zain Asghar, 19, was brought before Bolton Crown Court after two sets of crimes on the road he committed earlier this year.

The first took place when he was seen by police driving a Vauxhall Astra on Chorley Old Road on April 14 despite still serving a ban.

Matthew Todd, prosecuting, said: “This defendant drove recklessly at speeds of up to 80mph in 30mph zones.”

He added: “There was still traffic on the road, it was still relatively light, it being April.”

Zain Asghar was already banned from driving (Image: PA)

Mr Todd told the court how Asghar had sped away from police and, during the pursuit, ran a red light as a mother and her child were getting ready to cross.

He stopped after hitting another car and was arrested by police who found he had been carrying cash and cannabis.

Fortunately, no one was injured in the crash.

Just under a month later on May 12, Asghar was again seen by police in a car, a silver Mercedes this time, despite his ban.

This time he was arrested and found with 32 snap bags of cannabis and £1,040 in cash with a burner phone with several messages found on it.

Mr Todd said: “The messages are typical of the sale of drugs.”

Brought before the magistrates court Asghar, of Cramond Close, Bolton, pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, possession of cannabis, driving while banned and driving without insurance for the April incident.

For the May incident, he pleaded guilty to possession of cannabis with intent to supply, possession of criminal property, driving while banned and driving without insurance.

Ian Metcalfe, defending, argued that Asghar deserved credit for having pleaded guilty at the earliest possible opportunity and pointed out his young age.

He also pointed out that most of the cash he had been found with, around £800, had in fact been made up of birthday presents rather than made from selling cannabis.

Mr Metcalfe also argued that prison would have an extremely harsh effect on the young man.

Judge Eliot Knopf accepted Asghar’s youth had been a factor but reminded him of the seriousness of his actions.

He said: “You knew full well that you shouldn’t have been driving and you knew full well that if you were apprehended consequences would follow.”

He added: “It was said that this was reckless on your part, I’d go further and say it was extremely dangerous and foolish.”

But Judge Knopf accepted that he could pull back from an immediate jail sentence.

He gave Asghar a sentence of 18 months, suspended for two years and ordered him to complete 20 rehabilitation activity requirement days.

Judge Knopf also banned him from the roads for a year after which he will be able to take an extended driving test.