Curfew for yob who chased Street star
13/10/2007
www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk
A ROAD rage yob who pursued terrified Coronation Street star Beverley Callard for two miles while throwing objects at her car has been condemned by magistrates. Imran Alam, 23, 'cut up' and intimidated the actress as he chased her silver Mercedes convertible.
Manchester Magistrates' Court heard how Alam followed Miss Callard's car as she drove to work at Granada Studios. For two miles, starting on Princess Parkway, near Moss Side, Alam and his passenger in a Toyota Corolla threw objects at her car, which she said sounded like `nuts and bolts' bouncing off the roof. Jennifer Baines, prosecuting, said Miss Callard, 49, was also 'cut up' and forced to brake heavily.
Alam, of Downham Road, Heaton Chapel, Stockport, didn't turn up for his trial last week, claiming sickness, and the case went ahead without him. He was convicted in his absence of driving without due care and behaviour causing harassment, alarm and distress. Sentencing him yesterday, court chairman Neil Farnell said: "It must be absolutely terrifying for people to endure this sort of behaviour. It will not be tolerated."
Alam was given a six-month curfew, keeping him indoors between 10pm and 7am, and seven points on his licence. He was also told to pay £350 costs. Audrey Martin, defending, said she would be lodging an appeal against conviction and sentence. Outside court Alam said he was `disgusted' with the decision and claimed he did not know who Miss Callard was, adding: "I have never watched Coronation Street in my life."
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I'd not heard about this story before - though the story doesn't say what caused this guy to lose the rag in the first place.
