2 weeks Ago
A drug dealer crashed into another car while leading police on a high-speed chase along some of Bolton’s busiest roads. Ibrahim Ali Abdullahi, 27, was spotted by police in an unmarked car on Bradshawgate in the town centre on September 21, 2023 driving an Audi A4. Bolton Crown Court heard how the officers’ suspicions were stoked while in the town centre.
Prosecutor Benjamin Ramsey said: “They saw an Audi, officers then followed the vehicle. “He had been driving showing cloned number plates.” The case was heard at Bolton Crown Court (Image: Anthony Moss) He added: “A stinger was used but was unsuccessful.
” Mr Ramsey told the court how Abdullahi, driving the Audi, led the officers on a chase across the A666, onto Bury Road and eventually onto Blackburn Road and Draycot Street. During the chase he reached speeds of 50mph in a 30mph area and did not stop even after hitting a red Toyota Yaris. The Toyota was only lightly damaged and Abdullahi, of Chetwood Drive, Halliwell, continued to flee onto Astley Street, Wolfenden Street and Halliwell Road.
He was eventually brought to a stop and arrested but when questioned by police only provided limited responses to their questions. Mr Ramsey told the court how having been bailed, Abdullahi was then caught out again on February 26 the following year. This time police officers boxed in an Audi to find Abdullahi inside with cash, an iPhone and 23 snap bags full of cannabis.
When questioned again he mainly answered no comment. But just days later in February 28, while still on police bail, Abdullahi was arrested yet again when officers noticed a Peugeot parked on double yellow lines on Higher Bridge Street. A quick check on the police national computer revealed the car was registered in Hastings, which stoked officers’ suspicions.
Abdullahi was seen going into and out of a corner shop and Mr Ramsey said that an officer “immediately recognised him as the same male who had been arrested two days earlier.” On arresting him, officers found a black Nokia phone and a blue carrier bag full of 23 snap bags of cannabis. Brought before the courts Abdullahi, who has one previous conviction for one offence, pleaded guilty to dangerous driving and driving without a licence.
He also admitted to two counts of possession of Class B drugs with intent to supply and to failing to attend court on a previous occasion. Eddy Steele, defending, accepted that reports about the 27-year-old were a “mixed bag” but said he deserved credit for admitting to his crimes. He said that Abdullahi had struggled since his contract as an Amazon worker had ended and that though his driving had been “inexcusable” he was “someone who is quite immature.
” Mr Steele said he was making a “mercy plea” on the defendant’s behalf. Judge Abigail Hudson accepted these points but reminded Abdullahi of just how dangerous his driving had been. ALSO READ: Fears witnesses could be 'denied justice' as trials set to move from Bolton ALSO READ: Victims of crime 'denied justice' amid staggering court case backlogs ALSO READ: 'Our system is crumbling' as 'vast cuts' see nearly half of Bolton trials delayed She also noted that after being arrested he was provided with a new vehicle “within hours of your release from police custody.
” Judge Hudson also said that at 27 year old Abdullahi was “too old for it consider it to be due to immaturity". She sentenced him to two years in prison, suspended for two years and ordered him to complete a 12-month rehabilitation programme. Judge Hudson also ordered Abdullahi to 15 rehabilitation activity days with 200 hours of unpaid work and banned him from driving for a year.
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