A speeding driver who led police on a chase through Aberdeen city centre has claimed he was being unfairly targeted by officers because of his race and expensive car.
Mohammed Rahman’s blue BMW first came to the attention of police at midnight on August 2 2020, due to the speed it was being driven along Gallowgate.
When officers activated their blue lights, the 38-year-old took off at speed before skidding around a corner, running a red light and speeding through a busy pedestrian area.
Fiscal depute Sean Ambrose told Aberdeen Sheriff Court how police were in a marked car when they gave chase along Gallowgate, Berry Street, Loch Street and St Andrew’s Street.
Led police on city centre chase
“Police brought his vehicle to a stop on St Andrew’s Street,” Mr Ambrose said. “Officers alighted and the accused thereafter immediately drove off at speed in the direction of Blackfriars Street.
“One officer radioed the control room to report the vehicle, meanwhile the accused negotiated a left-hand bend at Blackfriars Street momentarily losing control of the vehicle as its rear lost all traction.
“He turned onto Schoolhill and officers noted he continued to accelerate and increase the distance between his car and their vehicle.
“He drove through a red light on Schoolhill at the junction with Union Terrace and continued on Skene Terrace before being lost to view.”
Police later reported that the area where he ran the red light was busy with other road users and pedestrians.
“Officers were of the view his driving was dangerous and could have caused a serious collision,” the fiscal added.
Rahman was traced at his Aberdeen home and he identified himself as the driver.
He admitted dangerous driving and driving without insurance.
Claims he was unfairly targeted
Defence agent Stuart Beveridge said his client had been “searched various times for drugs” around this time, despite police never finding any illicit substances on him.
“He told me that police told him he was being searched because of the colour of his skin and he was driving a flashy car,” he said.
“He was searched that evening too and there was no basis for that.”
The solicitor added that Rahman “does accept he did drive at speed to get away from police”.
Sheriff Ian Wallace told Rahman: “I consider this a serious incident of dangerous driving. It was driving at speed away from police in a busy urban area.
“The consequences of your driving could have been worse than they were.”
He banned Rahman, of Rosemount Square, Aberdeen, from the road for 18 months and handed him 100 hours of unpaid work.
Rahman must also sit an extended rest to regain his licence.
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