A HIT-and-run driver who left a young boy paralysed and nearly killed a lollipop lady in a separate incident has been given a 'licence to kill'.
That was the claim of a distraught grandfather after magistrates allowed Sajid Hussain to walk free after being convicted of serious motoring offences for a third time.
Hussain, aged 20, of Stamford Street, Newbold, was 16, uninsured and unlicensed when he mowed down Daniel Hennessy, leaving him crippled from the waist down. He fled the scene.
Hussain escaped jail but was given a two-month driving ban and ordered to pay Daniel's family £2,555 compensation, which he was later told he did not have to pay because of a legal technicality.
Just over 12 months later he knocked down lollipop lady Audrey Chadwick while racing on Well i'th' Lane in September 2003, leaving the 67-year-old with a broken cheekbone, forearm, pelvis and jaw. He had again run away. He was jailed for 18 months.
Hussain's latest court appearance came after he was caught driving a VW Golf despite being banned.
Refusing to stop for police, he had sped off and crashed into a stationary car, and street sign on John Street.
He tried to flee the scene, but officers caught up with him shortly afterwards.
Rochdale magistrates gave him a four-month suspended sentence, which means he will not go to jail unless he breaks the law in the next 12 months.
He was again disqualified for another three years and ordered to do 18 months' community service after pleading guilty to driving while banned, failing to stop after an accident and driving without insurance.
Daniel Hennessy's grandfather Chris has been fighting for justice for his family since Daniel was mowed down by Hussain, in Belfield in August 2002.
He was visiting the youngster and his mum Deborah at their new home in Dublin when the news of Hussain's later court hearing broke.
"The court has given Hussain a licence to kill," said Mr Hennessy, from Belfield.
"He has caused three accidents already and is only 20. What will he do next? It is unbelievable that he can walk away from court.
"Daniel will be in a wheelchair for life. But we are going back and forth to visit Deborah who is finding it difficult."
Road safety campaigners Brake have also branded magistrates decision to allow Hussain to walk free as a 'disgrace'.
A spokesman said: "He quite clearly hasn't learnt his lesson, despite injuring a woman and a young boy who is now facing a life sentence of his own because he has been left paralysed.
"He should be serving a custodial sentence and a lifetime driving ban. We can't be surprised if in a few months he is involved in another crash.
"I wouldn't want to be walking the streets of Rochdale. Something needs to be done to deter these drivers."
Showing comments 1 to 25 and replies | View All
withheld, Rochdale (10/05/2006 at 14:06)
julie, norden, rochdale (10/05/2006 at 14:10)
Henry Kelly, Ireland (Expat) (10/05/2006 at 17:27)
Alan, Smallbridge (10/05/2006 at 19:34)
?, rochdale (11/05/2006 at 13:51)
jackie, heywood (11/05/2006 at 14:40)
Lesley, Bolton!! (11/05/2006 at 15:49)
Sean, Rochdale (12/05/2006 at 13:32)
Iain, Lower Fold (12/05/2006 at 14:07)
Anthony, Accrington,Lancashire (12/05/2006 at 15:19)
Karen, Rochdale (15/05/2006 at 12:53)
If he did he would never get in a car again. He should be banned for life and do a custodial sentence where he might think about what he has done. I wonder if the magistrates would let him off so lightly if he knocked down one of their family in an accident caused by his reckless driving. I dont think so do you.
Doesn't matter, Rochale (17/05/2006 at 10:34)
a (17/05/2006 at 13:04)
Rev. Malthus, Victoria (18/05/2006 at 17:36)
Steven Paulson, rochdale. very soon exeter (19/05/2006 at 12:42)
Ive watched him on many occasions behaving very arrogantly with has gang of bodyguards in rochdale town center.
Alan of smallbridge. I do hope that was a joke. You dont know how close to the truth you are though!!!
Doesn't Matter.......For a start, he actually served 8 months.
Secondly, as a young driver, with a powerful car, but licenced insured, and taxed, I have never been stopped by the police. If I was to be stopped, the would be no chase. I would stop. That is the law in this country. Thirdly, everyone makes mistake. Your right. There is a difference between serious criminal behaviour and mistakes.
He does not give a stuff about what he did to daniel, otherwise he would gladly help financially towards his upbringing.
Doesn't matter, I suggest you crawl back under the rock from which you came.
neil tidman, west mids (19/05/2006 at 13:38)
should be locked up for a long time..
rob, bristol (19/05/2006 at 17:27)
Finally, my thought's go out to those families affected by this yob's arrogance and the court's failing's and i hope that justice is done and you are able to regain a sense of normality.
Wullie, here and there (19/05/2006 at 19:16)
Lets bring back the death penalty.
Matt Wez, Norfolk (19/05/2006 at 20:59)
benji, plymouth (19/05/2006 at 21:02)
Jason, Rochdale (20/05/2006 at 00:41)
It seems he has a scant disregard for the law, his life and others life.
I only wish that those people who could have made the decision to imprison him would have had the gumption to do so, he soulld have been sent down for a long time
Dom, Manchester (22/05/2006 at 23:25)
stevo, yorks (10/07/2006 at 13:54)
*+*.....*+*, rochdale (12/03/2007 at 13:09)
but da way he has bin drivin n dat aint gud at all.dnt tink he shud get punished anymore n leave everythin as it is.coz he had giv da lil boi's family £2,555 compensation so wat more do ppl want from him?
dats jus how i luk at it.ignore me if u tink im tite lol
newyz byeee x
mark, heywood (13/03/2007 at 14:44)