A Peterborough father who ploughed his BMW into trees, road signs and a brick wall while driving drunk with his children in the back has been handed a suspended prison sentence and banned from the roads.
Shahzad Nawaz, 47, from Broadway, lost control of his BMW on Park Road at around 7pm on 16 March after witnesses reported him speeding through the area moments before the crash.
The violent impact left a woman in the car with a serious but non-life-threatening injury, while his three children were taken to hospital with minor injuries.
When officers arrived, Nawaz blew more than twice the legal alcohol limit at the roadside and was immediately arrested.
Appearing at Cambridge Crown Court on Thursday (4 December), he pleaded guilty to dangerous driving and drink driving.
Judge-imposed penalties included a 12-month prison sentence, suspended for two years, a year-long driving ban with an extended retest requirement, 100 hours of unpaid work and £1,187 in costs.
PC Sam Dane of the Road Policing Unit did not mince words about the risks Nawaz had taken.
“Driving while under the influence of drink is irresponsible, but to do so with your own children in the car is beyond belief,” he said. “This crash could have ended far worse for all concerned.”
Police say they will be stepping up patrols throughout December and into the festive season, proactively stopping vehicles and carrying out breathalyser tests. Officers are urging anyone heading out for celebrations to organise a safe journey home before drinking.
