Leeds university student crashed into taxi then refused to give breath specimen after police car chase

A student crashed his car into a taxi in Leeds city centre before putting lives in danger as he tried to drive away from police.
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The taxi driver suffered whiplash injuries after being struck from behind by Nabeel Mateen as he was parked at a rank on New Briggate.

Mateen drove off in his Toyota Prius after the collision but not before the injured driver managed to get out of his taxi and take a picture of him using his mobile phone.

More than £2,000 worth of damage was caused to the taxi.

Leeds Crown CourtLeeds Crown Court
Leeds Crown Court
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Leeds Crown Court heard Mateen was then seen by police moments later as he went through a red light on The Headrow.

Mateen, who had two passengers, failed to stop for officers when they put on blue lights.

Nick Adlington, prosecuting said the defendant "swerved all over the road" during the pursuit to the Beeston area of the city.

He reached 60mph down back streets, mounted kerbs and crossed junctions without stopping.

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The defendant stopped the car and ran off but was caught by officers and handcuffed.

He was asked to give a breath specimen but told officers: "No, I'm not going to f****** provide."

Mateen, of Grovehall Drive, Beeston, pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, failing to stop and failing to provide a breath specimen.

Andrea Parnham, mitigating, said Mateen had panicked after he crashed into the taxi.

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She said: "He made bad decision after bad decision after bad decision and it just did not get any better for him.

"He does accept that his behaviour was entirely unacceptable that night."

The barrister said Mateen was still studying at university and was involved in the running of a business.

She said his actions had been out of character and his relatives will be making sure he stays out of trouble in the future.

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She said: "They will make sure he doesn't stray onto the wrong side of the law again.

Mateen was given an eight-month prison sentence, suspended for two years.

He was also ordered to do 200 hours of unpaid work and was disqualified from driving for two years.

He was also ordered to pay £500 prosecution costs.

Judge Simon Batiste said: "I am prepared to accept that this is a moment of madness rather than ingrained criminality"