A disqualified driver has been jailed for 18 weeks after being caught behind the wheel on the M1 motorway having had his licence previously revoked until 2025.
Shortly after 2pm on Thursday, November 23, PC Michael Hollowell and PC Charlie Ward from Northamptonshire Police’s Roads Policing Team were dealing with a separate incident on the northbound carriageway as Ranbir Rai travelled through the county.
As Rai drove past junction 15, his black Jaguar XJ car activated ANPR (Automatic Number Plate Recognition) cameras, alerting officers to the fact the registered owner was disqualified from driving and wanted on warrant for failing to attend court
The officers followed the 32-year-old and signalled for him to stop at Northampton Services.
At first, Rai provided false details to the officers, however his fingerprints were checked at the roadside and revealed his real identity. He was arrested and taken into police custody.
Rai, of Bramwell Place, Silvertown, East London, was subsequently charged with driving while disqualified and with no valid third-party insurance and on Friday, November 24, he pleaded guilty at Northampton Magistrates’ Court to both offences.
Due to the seriousness of Rai’s offending, he was sentenced to 18 weeks in prison and further disqualified from driving for three years. He was also ordered to pay £154 victim surcharge and £85 court costs.
Arresting officer PC Ward of the Roads Policing Team said: “Ranbir Rai knew that he was not entitled to be driving until 2025 and his actions clearly demonstrated his total disregard for the sanctions imposed by the court.
“Rai chose to ignore the fact he had no licence or insurance and drove more than 100 miles from his home in East London before being stopped in Northamptonshire. This was not just selfish but also dangerous, offering no financial protection to him or other road users if he had been involved in a collision.
“Everyone has a right to get home unharmed, and we are committed to improving road safety across our county by taking action against irresponsible drivers who have no right to be using our roads.”
Tragically in 2022, after being involved in a road collision in Northamptonshire, 36 people never returned home safely to their loved ones, and 347 required urgent medical assistance for serious and life-changing injuries.
