Dad crashed into OAP and punched passer-by

SPEEDING DRIVER AVOIDS PRISON TERM AFTER 'THUGGISH BEHAVIOUR'

- CARL JACKSON Court Reporter

A SPEEDING Audi driver ploughed into an 80-year-old motorist then blamed him for the collision before punching a Good Samaritan who tried to help, a court heard.

Mohammad Safdar was driving at ‘extremely high speed’ on Aldridge Road in Great Barr.

He overtook the car in front of him and then smashed into Patrick O’Byrne’s Ford Ka which was crossing the busy route at the junction with Thornbridge Avenue.

When another driver confronted Safdar he said ‘I’m the victim here, he’s not, he caused the crash’

Then when member of the public Devish Rawji tried to placate the defendant he responded by punching him in the face.

Safdar later maintained his innocence to the police claiming he did nothing wrong.

Ultimately, the 36-year-old dad, of Queslett Road, Great Barr admitted causing serious injury by careless driving and battery, after more serious charges were dropped at Birmingham Crown Court.

He was banned from driving for 18 months and must complete an extended retest.