Individual Imprisoned for Driving Towards Police Amidst Public Disorder

An individual received a nine-month prison sentence after driving his vehicle towards police officers while attempting to flee during a night marked by rioting. Teesside Crown Court was informed that Salim Khan, aged 23, collided with his car and subsequently ran away on foot after Cleveland Police officers confronted him amidst violence in Middlesbrough on August 4. Khan, identified as a security guard residing in Middlesbrough, asserted that he acted out of panic and did not intentionally direct his vehicle at any individual. He pleaded guilty to dangerous driving. Prosecutor Omar Ahmad stated that approximately 1,000 individuals participated in a protest march that commenced at the cenotaph on Linthorpe Road just before 14:00 BST. The court was informed that cries of “take our country back” were audible, and violence broke out when an object was hurled at the crowd as the participants of the march proceeded past Clarendon Road. Mr Ahmad indicated that multiple “factions” were implicated in the violence, among them men carrying weapons. According to testimony heard in court, at approximately 20:15, a uniformed police officer observed Khan and another man seated in a blue Seat vehicle on Belk Street. The officer, suspecting their involvement in the disorder, attempted to open the driver’s door to engage them in conversation. Khan, residing on Newlands Road, disregarded the constable’s instructions, started the vehicle, and accelerated towards the officer and other personnel, subsequently colliding with two parked cars. Mr Ahmad reported that Khan then escaped on foot but came back to the location thirty minutes later and surrendered to the police, while his passenger had been apprehended at the scene. During mitigation, Andrew Turton stated that Khan had completed a 12-hour shift as a security guard and was present in the vicinity after providing a friend with transportation. Mr Turton explained that Khan observed his cousin, who had been implicated in the disorder, running in his direction and, apprehensive about being pursued, Khan volunteered to drive the other individual away. Mr Turton further stated that Khan did not recognize the officer, whom he asserted was entirely dressed in black, as a police officer and “simply drove off in a panic,” emphasizing that he was not targeting anyone. The court was informed that Khan served as a carer for his grandparents, who were compelled to return to Pakistan because he was unable to care for them, having been held on remand since August 6. It was also heard in court that his cousin had already received a jail sentence for his participation in the disorder. Judge Nathan Adams stated that he accepted Khan’s non-involvement in the disorder, but noted that his actions added to the “chaos and danger” during a period when police officers were already heavily occupied. Additionally, Khan received a one-year driving ban.