A banned driver with a 'shocking' criminal record reached speeds of 128mph on the M56 motorway as he tried to escape from police before crashing at Manchester Airport, a court was told.
Amin Akhoondi, 22, who was disqualified from driving at the time, also drove at speeds of 98mph on built-up urban roads with 30mph speed limits in Wythenshawe. He has now been jailed over what a judge called 'an appalling example' of dangerous driving.
Crash at Terminal Two
Akhoondi ended up smashing the Volkswagen Golf he was driving into a steel barrier at Manchester Airport's Terminal Two, Manchester Crown Court heard. He suffered a 'significant' spinal injury in the crash and spent 10 days in hospital in the aftermath, his barrister told the court.
Akhoondi appeared in court over a video link from prison but could not sit down and stood throughout the sentencing hearing on Thursday due to the injury and the fact he wears a back brace. The court was also told he lost 'motion' in his hand in the barrier crash.
Pursuit details
Katy Laverty, prosecuting, said officers on patrol in Wythenshawe on May 5 saw the white VW on Firbank Road and a pursuit began. Akhoondi, the court heard, was told to stop by police but carried on to reach speeds of 98mph.
Ms Laverty said the car went through red lights, drove the wrong way around bollards and mounted a pavement on Hollyhedge Road.
Akhoondi, of no fixed abode but previously of Stockport, joined the M56 westbound and was 'in and out' of traffic as police clocked a top speed of 128mph. The court heard he entered the grounds of Manchester Airport, driving on the wrong side of roads, then crashed into the barrier.
Ms Laverty said the crash caused damage estimated at £10,000.
"Due to the defendant's injury, he was taken to Manchester Royal Infirmary, where he was arrested," she said.
In subsequent police interviews, he initially said he couldn't remember anything, then gave no comment answers, the prosecutor added. Ms Laverty said Akhoondi had seven previous convictions for 15 offences, including a previous conviction for dangerous driving.
He was recalled to prison after his arrest to serve the remainder of a sentence for a previous crime he was convicted of, the court heard, and has a release date of November 23, 2029.
Sentence and ban
"The night of this particular incident is still something that does trouble Mr Akhoondi," said Peter Malone, defending. "He is still none the wiser as to why he acted as he did. He had been released on licence and was engaging with probation. He has difficulty in remembering what happened. He realises that the only reason why he has these injuries is down to his own actions - no excuses. He knows he has to go through the result of what he did."
At Manchester and Salford magistrates court on May 16, Akhoondi pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, driving whilst disqualified and driving without insurance. He was committed to the crown court for sentence, where he was jailed for 16 months.
The judge, Recorder Jeremy Lasker, said: "It is no thanks to you that nobody else was injured. It was an appalling example of dangerous driving. You are 22 and you have a truly shocking record."
The sentence will be served concurrently to the sentence Akhoondi is currently serving, the court heard. His licence was endorsed and he was banned from driving for five years with an order to take an extended re-test.
