A teenager who drove into a busy part of Peterborough city centre, narrowly missing pedestrians before smashing into a chicken shop, has been spared immediate custody by magistrates.
Incident in Westgate caught on police footage
Mohammed Halani, 19, of Audley Gate in Netherton, admitted failing to stop for police, dangerous driving and driving without insurance after the incident on 24 May. Cambridgeshire Police released footage showing shoppers jumping clear as the Audi S3 careered through a pedestrian area before striking a building in Westgate shortly after 1pm on a bank holiday weekend.
Officers initially signalled Halani to stop, but the vehicle accelerated away. He is seen ignoring bollards and no entry signs as he sped through a congested part of the city. After losing control and crashing into the shop, Halani fled the scene on foot, running through Queensgate shopping centre and attempting to hide in a Cowgate restaurant, where he was arrested.
Sentence and court outcome
At Peterborough Magistrates' Court Halani was sentenced to one year in prison, suspended for two years. The court also ordered 200 hours of unpaid work, 15 days of rehabilitation activity and imposed a two-year driving disqualification.
| Offence | Result |
|---|---|
| Failing to stop | Guilty |
| Dangerous driving | Guilty |
| Driving without insurance | Guilty |
| Immediate custody | Suspended sentence |
Police reaction and safety concerns
"This was a shocking incident that could easily have been far worse... A matter of milliseconds was the difference between at least two people being seriously injured – or worse. It is remarkable nobody was hurt."
PC Martyn Chapman stressed how close the episode came to causing serious harm. The footage has been used by Cambridgeshire Police both to illustrate the dangers of reckless driving in pedestrian-heavy areas and to reassure the public that the matter was investigated and prosecuted.
- Location: Westgate/Cowgate area, Peterborough city centre
- Date and time: 24 May, around 1pm (bank holiday weekend)
- Vehicle: Audi S3
Local residents and shoppers who saw or were affected by the incident may still be processing the shock of events that unfolded in a bustling part of the city. The court outcome includes a significant community penalty and a driving ban, but some may question whether a suspended sentence adequately reflects the potential risk to the public.
Cambridgeshire Police continue to ask anyone with further information or relevant footage to come forward to assist with ongoing enquiries and community reassurance work.
