DNA snares ‘stolen’ Audi crash driver

A DRIVER who crashed a borrowed high-powered car tried to escape blame by reporting it stolen.

Mohammed Mahmood (27) lost control of the black Audi, which shot across a roundabout and down an embankment on the outskirts of Oldham in the early hours of August 8 2014.

Manchester Crown Court heard Mahmood deliberately lied to avoid trouble - but was caught out when technicians found his DNA on the blown airbag.

The court was told the damaged car was found shortly after police reported two black Audis apparently racing along Oldham Way, shortly before 1am.

A motorway chase followed, but the police driver struggled to keep up with the speeding cars and couldn’t log their plate numbers.

Mahmood reported his Audi stolen at 2.35am that morning, but when interviewed about the “theft” at his Windsor Road, Oldham home, officers became suspicious.

Kim Driver prosecuting, said he had been the driver of the crashed car - but there was no evidence that the car was one of the two allegedly racing.

Ahmed Nadim defending, described his client as a “very stupid young man” who now very much regretted what he had done. Mahmood had borrowed the Audi but didn’t have the experience to handle it.

He panicked after the crash and had been ill-advised to report it stolen by its owner after being told of the accident.

Mahmood pleaded guilty to perverting the course of justice and was sentenced to a 12 month community order including 100 hours of unpaid work and a 15-day rehabilitation course.