Watch: 100mph driver Saif Ghalib jailed after shocking wrong-way pursuit across Greater Manchester

A driver who led police on a shocking high-speed pursuit across Greater Manchester has been jailed and banned from the road.

Uninsured Saif Ghalib reached speeds of 100mph and drove directly into oncoming traffic in appalling attempts to evade capture which were caught on video.

He has now been given a spell behind bars and a driving ban.

What happened?

On 18 December 2021 officers spotted an uninsured man driving of a silver Vauxhall Zafira on the M66 motorway.

After the driver failed to stop at the request of police, officers pursued the vehicle across Greater Manchester for some 37 minutes until he eventually stopped and was arrested.

During the high-speed chase Ghalib, who is from Blackburn, reached speeds of 100mph and drove down the wrong side of the road towards oncoming traffic in his efforts to get away.

The 22-year-old, of Chester Close, was charged with failing to stop a motor vehicle when directed by a police officer, driving a motor vehicle dangerously, driving a motor vehicle otherwise that in accordance with a licence, and use of a motor vehicle in a public place without insurance.

He was sentenced to 12 months imprisonment and disqualified from driving for 18 months with a requirement to take an extended test.

What have police said about his sentencing?

Police Constable Paul Ashworth, of the Greater Manchester Police (GMP) roads policing unit, said: “We are committed to making the roads of Greater Manchester safer for everyone. This includes, at the last resort, having to pursue those that risk putting others at harm.

“This action is just one example of the work we do on a daily basis to make our roads a safer place.

“Ghalib’s actions behind the wheel that day were unacceptable and irresponsible. He put countless people at harm with his reckless driving.

“Thankfully, no one was injured and we have one less dangerous driver off our roads.”