Muhammed Kashem, 33, received a suspended sentence and a two-year driving ban after being caught driving while disqualified and with cannabis.
Kashem, age 33, lives on Eastern Avenue in Burnley. He admitted to driving while disqualified and without insurance, plus he confessed to having cannabis.
The court gave him a suspended jail sentence lasting 12 weeks, suspended for two years. He also had to do rehab for ten days.
The court banned him from driving for two years and he had to pay £85 in costs. A £154 victim surcharge was also imposed.
Bryony Cook, the prosecutor, spoke about the case. Kashem lost his license in 2024 for drug driving and was banned then.
That night, officers got some tips that a banned driver was in a VW Golf, driving around Burnley.
“When he saw police, he sped off,” said Cook, turning away from them. The officer took another road to meet him and drove right towards Kashem’s car. The driver almost squeezed past but stopped.
Cook also said the car smelled like cannabis, and police found two bags with the drug.
The court learned the car belonged to his friend. Kashem’s name was on the car insurance, but he wasn’t covered since he was banned.
Kashem’s lawyer said it was a mistake. His friend was drunk, so Kashem drove. That’s what the court heard.