Cancer-stricken drunk driving businessman is jailed after snapping out of buying dog food

Liquor driver Karim Noorani has been jailed after he was caught over the limit when he went out to buy dog ​​food.

The 53-year-old, who has three previous drink-driving convictions, was found driving erratically in Stone at 10.55am on January 16.

Prosecutor Hannah Baddeley told North Staffordshire Justice Centre: “Police chased the suspect. He drove at low speed in both lanes in an area with a national speed limit. He stopped short at the roundabout and almost caused an accident.

“He drove into a Shell petrol station on Eccleshall Road and almost crashed into a fence. Police spoke to him and noticed he smelled strongly of alcohol. He gave a non-probative value of 130 micrograms of alcohol in 100 milliliters of breath at the roadside. While in custody, his lowest reading was 117 micrograms of alcohol per 100 milliliters of breath, against the legal limit of 35.”

Noorani, of Stafford Road, Aston by Stone, Stone, pleaded guilty to drink driving.

Alan Dawson, mitigating, said Noorani had separated from his wife about a year ago. He lost his home and his business was also affected. Mr Dawson said: “Seven months ago he had a heart attack. He is very sick. He has been diagnosed with stage two lung cancer.

“He admits to drinking a quantity of alcohol the night before and in the morning. He got up and noticed he had no dog food with him. He asked a taxi driver to pick up and deliver dog food, but the taxi driver refused. He got into the vehicle and drove to the nearby gas station. At the gas station he was arrested.

“He does nothing but cooperate. He has provided a sample along the road and at the police station.”

Mr Dawson said Noorani is working to tackle his alcohol problems. He added that the defendant would lose his Buy to Let business if he was sent to prison.

Magistrates jailed Noorani for 12 weeks, describing him as ‘a prolific offender with a plethora of driving offences’. He was banned from driving for 52 months, which will be extended by six weeks due to the time he will spend in prison.

Noorani must pay a surcharge of £154 on his release. Mr Dawson immediately appealed the court’s decision and Noorani was released on bail pending an appeal against the sentence at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court at a date to be determined.

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