Oldbury man jailed for reckless driving after hitting pedestrian and fleeing scene

A 29-year-old driver from Oldbury has been sentenced to 16 months in prison after mounting a pavement and striking a pedestrian, leaving the man severely injured before fleeing the scene.

Sheikh Manneh, from Brades Rise, Oldbury, was driving while disqualified on 22 November when the incident occurred shortly after 1.30am on Hamstead Road in Handsworth, Birmingham. The victim, on his way home, was hit by Manneh’s car which witnesses described as travelling aggressively and at speeds of 50-60 mph.

After the collision, Manneh briefly stopped to say, “I’m sorry, I didn’t see you,” but then left the injured pedestrian lying in the road in severe pain. The victim suffered serious injuries including a fractured foot which required 13 days in hospital; initially, it was feared amputation might be necessary, but surgery ultimately saved his foot. He now experiences chronic pain and reduced mobility, impacting his daily life and preventing him from being with his terminally ill mother during her final days.

Manneh, who admitted he may have consumed alcohol before driving despite a previous drink-drive conviction and current driving ban, fled the scene but later walked four miles to surrender himself at a police station. He pleaded guilty to causing serious injury by careless driving, driving while disqualified, driving without insurance, and failing to stop after a road traffic collision.

At Birmingham Crown Court, Judge Roderick Henderson rejected a suspended sentence, emphasising the seriousness of the offences and the need for an immediate custodial sentence. “It has to be a prison sentence and one that you will have to serve,” the judge said.

Defence counsel Ester Berry-Benton acknowledged Manneh’s remorse and anxiety issues, noting his regret and his going forward commitment to therapy. Manneh has lost his job in security because of this offence and will have to live with the consequences for the rest of his life.

The incident has profoundly affected both the victim and Manneh, highlighting the grave consequences of driving while disqualified and under the influence, as well as the devastating impact on innocent victims.