Man jailed for driving at crowd after street fight

A driver who started a brawl outside a venue and then ran over a student has been jailed.

Mohammed Alam started a fight in Talbot Street, Nottingham, which involved members of the public and Rock City security staff.

A short while later, believing a group of pedestrians to have been involved in the violence, he drove his car at them, striking one.

Mohammed Alam, of Pembridge Close, Basford, pleaded guilty to affray, inflicting grievous bodily harm and dangerous driving and was jailed for two years and 10 months at Nottingham Crown Court on Friday.

Mohammed Alam was branded "extremely reckless" by police

The court heard Mohammed Alam had been driving at about 02:45 BST on 7 October 2023 when a person in the crowds leaving the venue gestured to slow down then tapped his roof in annoyance.

Mohammed Alam, 26, alongside his 29-year-old brother Parvaz Alam and a third person, exited the car, with CCTV footage showing him shove the person, starting a fight.

Mohammed Alam and his brother then returned to the car, and driving away from the scene on Goldsmith Street, he turned his vehicle on to the pavement towards a group he believed had been involved in the brawl.

The majority managed to jump out the way but one of them was hit and flung into the air, causing a deep gash to his leg which needed surgery and a skin graft.

CCTV showed the street fight that Mohammed Alam and his associates started in Talbot Street

The brothers were arrested after a Nottinghamshire Police officer recognised Mohammed Alam from CCTV.

His older brother, of the same address, pleaded guilty to affray and was given a community order with 200 hours unpaid work.

He must also pay £500 in compensation.

Det Con Madeline Flint-Foster, who led the investigation, said: "Mohammed Alam's actions that night were extremely reckless and have had a profound impact on his victim.

"It is just by pure luck that no-one was killed."