Jail for seat-swapping drink driver who lied to officers

A convicted drink driver tried and failed to avoid sanction by swapping places with his passenger.

Officers were called to a disturbance on Southchurch Drive, Clifton, at around 11pm on Sunday 31 May.

Shortly after arriving in the area, they intercepted a Toyota Yaris and began following it.

The vehicle then failed to stop and turned left into Green Lane before coming to a halt.

The following officers then witnessed disqualified driver Hooman Khosravi hurriedly clamber into the back seat as his female passenger moved to the driver's seat.

The car then continued a short distance down the road before finally coming to a stop.

Khosravi, who appeared heavily intoxicated, repeatedly denied being the driver.

He then failed to comply with an evidential breath test in custody, despite being given two opportunities to do so.

He later gave a no comment interview to officers.

Khosravi, aged 39, of Homewell Walk, Nottingham, was given a suspended prison sentence in October last year after pleading guilty to drink driving, dangerous driving, using a mobile phone at the wheel and driving without insurance.

He appeared at Nottingham Magistrates' court on 2 June and pleaded guilty to failing to provide a specimen for analysis, driving whilst disqualified, and driving without insurance.

He was immediately jailed for 12 weeks and disqualified from driving for four years.

Sergeant Louise Ellis, of Nottinghamshire Police, said:

"Given his previous convictions and obvious disregard for the safety of his passengers and other road users, it's hardly surprising that this man would seek to avoid justice in this way.

"However, as he has now discovered to his cost, lying to officers at the roadside and failing to provide an evidential sample is not an effective strategy.

"For good reason, failing to provide a specimen of breath for analysis is every bit as serious as blowing over the limit, and has the potential to land you in prison."