Banned driver hit 120mph in Chester-le-Street 30mph zones

Bilal Havid was clocked by two police officers in a BMW M4 Competition as they patrolled Chester-le-Street in the early hours of June 5. 

The 33-year-old sped past PCs Murphy and Gers and a chase was launched, where Havid reached speeds of more than 120mph in 30mph zones.

The pursuit was deemed too dangerous to continue and the BMW was lost but, 20 minutes later, Bilal was caught on CCTV hiding in an alleyway near the Co-op store in Pelton.

When officers arrested him he claimed he had been waiting for a woman and denied being the driver.

Havid, of West Pelton, was charged with dangerous driving, driving while disqualified and having no insurance.

He pleaded guilty to all charges when he appeared at Newton Aycliffe Magistrates’ Court on Monday (September 7) where he was jailed for one year and five-and-a-half months and disqualified from driving for another three years.

Havid has a string of previous dangerous driving convictions and “numerous” other motoring offences, and in 2020 reached speeds in excess of 100mph during a police chase near Consett. 

He was disqualified and handed an 18-month prison sentence at the time. 

Strategic Roads Policing Inspector Andy Howarth said: “Havid’s manner of driving was extremely dangerous and thankfully no members of the public came to any harm during this incident.

“We are happy to see he is behind bars and the roads of County Durham and Darlington are safer for it.”