A banned driver who mounted a pavement and sent a pedestrian flying into a Birmingham road has been jailed for 16 months. Sheikh Manneh, 29, of Brades Rise, Oldbury, pleaded guilty to causing serious injury by careless driving, driving while disqualified, driving without insurance and failing to stop after a collision.
The incident happened at around 1.35am on November 22 on Hamstead Road, Handsworth. Manneh, who was already banned from driving after a previous drink-drive conviction, was seen 'flying past at 50-60mph' before the crash. He briefly stopped to say 'I'm sorry, I didn't see you' but left the victim screaming in pain.
Court hears of 'extraordinary' driving
Judge Roderick Henderson, sitting at Birmingham Crown Court on Tuesday (August 11), rejected a request to suspend the prison sentence. "It has to be a prison sentence and one that you will have to serve," he told Manneh. "You chose to drive a car when disqualified, it's overwhelmingly likely that you were in the influence of drink as you drove in an extraordinary way. I regard this as an extremely serious event. I accept that you are usually a decent man."
The judge added: "In this case I could suspend it, but people tempted to behave in this manner need to realise what may happen to them if they do something like this."
Victim's injuries and impact
Prosecuting, Gus Walter said: "The victim tried to evade the car but it hit him with force to his leg. The victim was sent flying into the road, landing on his back. After the collision the victim sat up and saw his foot was hanging out of his trainer and bones were sticking out."
The victim spent 13 days in hospital, where he was initially told they may have to amputate his foot. Thanks to surgical intervention, it was not necessary. The hit-and-run has had a major impact on his life, with him now left in chronic pain and with reduced mobility. He also was unable to be there for his mother's final days before she died from cancer, due to being in hospital with his injuries.
Defendant's remorse and background
Defending Manneh, Ester Berry-Benton said: "The defence would highlight he is remorseful for this offence. He has described the decision to drive as the biggest regret of his life. His decision to leave the scene was inexcusable. Bystanders were present on scene and it was panic that caused him to leave the scene."
She added: "He has been a sufferer with severe anxiety for many years. Since that evening, he has not attempted to run from his responsibilities. He walked four miles from his home in Oldbury to the police station to hand himself in. This has weighed extremely heavily on his mind. He is currently on the waiting list for therapy. He has a very strong family network and it is in relation to them that he is particularly ashamed of what he has done. He has suffered from depression and anxiety for some time. He accepted that alcohol is a coping mechanism for him. He is at the beginning of a long journey with regards to that particular problem."
Manneh previously worked in security for ten years, but has since lost his security licence and job as a result of the incident. Ms Berry-Benton concluded: "He will have to live with it for the rest of his life."
