[url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2006/05/13/naseem13... 'Prince Naz' jailed for 90mph smash that left two lives in ruins[/url]
By Paul Stokes
(Filed: 13/05/2006)
Naseem Hamed, the former world featherweight boxing champion, was jailed yesterday after wrecking a couple's lives in a car crash.
He admitted driving his new £320,000 McLaren Mercedes sports car dangerously at speeds up to 90mph on the outskirts of a city while trying to impress his passenger.
[img]http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/graphics/2006/05/13/naseem13a.jpg[/img]
[size=8]Naseem and Eleasha Hamed arrive at Sheffield Crown Court [/size]
Hamed, 32, known to boxing fans as Prince Naz, caused a three-car crash while overtaking on the wrong side of the road on the brow of a hill, Sheffield Crown Court was told.
His vehicle, registration number NAS 1, collided head-on with a VW Golf, leaving Anthony Burgin, 39, a decorator, with multiple fractures and his wife, Clare, with a phobia about travelling.
Judge Alan Goldsack, QC, said Hamed could easily have killed Mr Burgin and could have been jailed for up to 14 years had he done so. He sentenced him to 15 months imprisonment and banned him from driving for four years.
Hamed, who has two sons Sami Naseem, seven, and Aadam, five, showed no emotion but his pregnant wife Eleasha, broke down sobbing and had to be comforted by friends.
[img]http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/graphics/2006/05/13/naseem13b.jpg[/img]
[size=8]Police examine the wrecked Mercedes McLaren after the crash[/size]
The court was told that Hamed had four previous speeding convictions and was banned from driving for three months in 1995 for exceeding the 50mph limit.
Andrew Hatton, prosecuting, said one witness described Hamed's driving on the May Bank Holiday last year as suicidal and another as "like a maniac".
He claimed to police he had become irritated because the driver in front of him kept braking and looking at him in his mirror.
Hamed told them he had just acquired the left-hand drive silver-coloured McLaren Mercedes, which was capable of 0-60mph in 3.8 seconds.
He had not driven it very much and found its power "unbelievable".
Mr Hatton said Hamed had gone over the single white line on the 60mph limit Ringinglow Road on the outskirts of Sheffield and collided head-on with Mr Burgin's car as Hamed overtook a Ford Mondeo which was also involved in the crash.
Hamed had taken businessman Asif Ayub for a ride to "show off" the car and had travelled only half a mile when the accident happened near his home in Dore, Sheffield. Mr Burgin spent three-and-a-half weeks in intensive care and had his left leg shortened.
He has undergone several operations and recently had a metal cage fitted to his right arm, has reduced sight and his driving licence has been taken away.
Neither Mr Burgin nor his wife could recall anything about the crash which they say has "cruelly taken away their life together".
Hamed, who along with the Mondeo driver escaped injury, offered a "heartfelt apology" to the couple through his barrister.
His brother, Murad, who attended the hearing, said afterwards on behalf of the family: "We have no comment to make."
Johnny Nelson, the world cruiserweight champion and former stablemate of Hamed, said: "He had all the talent in the world but people around him saw him start to self-destruct. He became arrogant and condescending and it got to be embarrassing.
"It is sad how things have gone but that's the path he chose. He has done wrong and now he has to face the consequences."
[size=8]Related: [url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2006/05/13/naseem11...'He let the money go to his head'[/url][/size]
I love new money
well... cannot really argue with the being imprisoned. AFterall the victims life is wrecked now.
However breaking every major bone in the body results in a 14 month sentence?
Throwing a stone is 5 years? :twisted:
"For too long, we have been a passively tolerant society, saying to our citizens 'as long as you obey the law, we will leave you alone'" - David Cameron, UK Prime Minister. 13 May 2015.
I agree to some extent, Admin, but that Naz was irresponsible, broke the law and caused great injury, but he did not crash on purpose. A stone is thrown with intent.
[size=9]Whatever you do, know that I will always love you. Or else.[/size]
That is an incredibly light sentence - fortunately Naz is more that likely looking at a civil suit of epic proportions.
On the bright side for Naz, when this is over he won't have any money left to go to his head. Lord knows his career is dead, Viva Barrera!
He'll get sorted out in prison I hope - either that or he'll be ice cream for freaks. It's sad to see a guy at that stage in his life throw it all away because he's too much in love with himself and his money.
True.
Arrogance has a price. So does stupidity.
Combine the two and the price can be colossal.
"For too long, we have been a passively tolerant society, saying to our citizens 'as long as you obey the law, we will leave you alone'" - David Cameron, UK Prime Minister. 13 May 2015.
Yea... funny how it always seems to lead to prison or a coma.
I'm a little concerned about Hamed's mental stability though, I recently read an article from before the crash about how he is a total recluse and spends all his time indoors training for nothing (he's way overweight) and only communicating with the outside world through his brother.
Something like this might push him over the edge.
Dunno.
But he reaction to being beat for the first time was way overboard. Lose and retire?
He may have deep seated confidence issues.
btw, in the uk I doubt Naz will become a pauper because of this. Our laws are different from America (I think). He should be covered by car insurance.
"For too long, we have been a passively tolerant society, saying to our citizens 'as long as you obey the law, we will leave you alone'" - David Cameron, UK Prime Minister. 13 May 2015.
It wasn't the car I was referring to...
In the US you can sue for "pain and suffering" and "punitive damages" on top of medical bills and other expenses caused by somebody's injury to you. They usually become the bulk of the damage awards; something like this could easily pull in 10-30 million for the plaintiff.
On top of that he's got a spending fever.
Although you are right - British law is screwy about civil action, this whole business about paying the other parties attorney fees if you lose is absurd although it's aimed at tort reform.
I wouldn't be surprised if there were award caps
no... the insurance will cover all damages. That is what its for.
If he is not insured, then he can be sued for all that other stuff. Otherwise, the insurance company will have to cough up.
That is what insurance is for.
"For too long, we have been a passively tolerant society, saying to our citizens 'as long as you obey the law, we will leave you alone'" - David Cameron, UK Prime Minister. 13 May 2015.
And they cover for RD?!
wooooow nice insurance companies you got there...
depends on what RD is...
3rd party will cover all liabilities to 3rd parties when its your fault. If its the other persons fault, their insurance covers it.
Full covers all, including personal injury to yourself and it does not matter if its your fault or not.
If you have no insurance it automatically is your fault. (I think...)
"For too long, we have been a passively tolerant society, saying to our citizens 'as long as you obey the law, we will leave you alone'" - David Cameron, UK Prime Minister. 13 May 2015.