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Muslim is spared a speeding ban so he can drive between his two wives
Last updated at 01:22am on 06.04.08
Busy life: Mohammed Anwar
But yesterday one motorist offered what must be a unique reason why he should keep his licence.
Mohammed Anwar said a ban would make it difficult to commute between his two wives and fulfil his matrimonial duties.
His lawyer told a Scottish court the Muslim restaurant owner has one wife in Motherwell and another in Glasgow - he is allowed up to four under his religion - and sleeps with them on alternate nights.
He also needed his driving licence to run his restaurant in Falkirk, Stirlingshire.
Airdrie Sheriff Court had heard that Anwar was caught driving at 64mph in a 30mph zone in Glasgow, fast enough to qualify for instant disqualification.
Anwar admitted the offence, but Sheriff John C. Morris accepted his plea not to be banned and allowed him to keep his licence.
Instead, he was fined £200 and given six penalty points.
Lorna Jackson, from the road safety charity Brake, called the decision "astonishing".
She said: "Regardless of the number of wives or businesses this man drives to, he broke a law which is there to protect everyone.
"Travelling just a few miles over the limit in a 30mph zone can be the difference between life and death if you hit someone, let alone driving at more than twice the speed limit.
"Drivers know the law, and they know the punishment they could face when they break it.
"For the courts to allow someone to keep their licence when they have so blatantly flouted the law and put peoples' lives at risk, on the basis of an excuse such as this, is astonishing."
Anwar, wearing a suit and an open-neck shirt, had made no comment during his five-minute court appearance, apart from confirming his identity.
But last night, speaking from his restaurant Sanam, he said: "It is true I have two wives.
"Muslim men are allowed up to four. But I am not a religious leader and it is not my place to comment.
"As a matter of respect to my wives I would not comment on my home life.
"The sheriff did not ban me because I need my licence to run my business, although my wives were also part of the decision."
The court had heard that Anwar was on his way home from Falkirk to his Glasgow wife on August 21, 2007, when he was caught by city police using a hand-held speed camera.
His lawyer, Paul Nicolson, said: "He realises his licence is at risk, but this is an unusual case and is very anxious to keep his driving licence.
"He has one wife in Motherwell and another in Glasgow and sleeps with one one night and stays with the other the next on an alternate basis.
"Without his driving licence he would be unable to do this on a regular basis.
"He is also a restaurant owner and has a restaurant in Falkirk, which he has had for the past 30 years.
"He has had a clean driving licence until now, and on this particular evening was on his way home after a busy evening at his restaurant."
Anwar's successful plea joins a long list of unusual excuses heard in the courts down the years.
Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson was cleared of illegally driving on a motorway hard shoulder because he said he was rushing to a toilet.
David Beckham also escaped a ban after arguing he had to break the speed limit to escape a photographer.
Reader views (16)
thats ok then wen my case goes to court on 29th july i will appeal and if am banned appeal on grounds im disabled and on morphine maybe that will get me of doing 52 in a road with no speed signs of 30
- Toni, glasgow
Doesn't matter what you say...all the judges and politicians are wearing a PC straightjacket...but its not correct; its more of a politically bias straightjacket. They have to be unfair. Nothing we, the British citizens, can do to beter our own country. Its all in the hands of the clowns in charge. And don't even say "well you elected them" - it was lack of a better option, trust me!
Each to his own unfortunately. How does it feel to be at the mercy of this overly left winged freakshow circus?
- Jeff, plymouth
If I'm atheist I have to respect the law and have one wife, I have no business and live within biking distance. So I'm breaking the law to have two wives and will lose my license as I can still work cycle to work, errrm, what is justice again?
- Rickell Sean, Boston, uk
Appeasement will not work with Muslims. Britain is committing cultural suicide on the instalment plan.
- Gene Russell, Nashville, Tennesseee USA
So let me get this right. My religion (Christianity) says that it is wrong for a man to have two wives, but if I criticize a Muslim for this I am not only being intolerant of his sexual preferences, I am also committing a "hate crime" against his religion. Meanwhile, he is able to use the religion not only to violate the laws against bigamy, but also those against speeding. Muslims in the U.K. (and the entire Western world for that matter) are gradually eroding the rule of law and destroying our civilization. Currently the "out breed" us (if they can have two wives it's not really a contest is it?), and certainly "out whine" us. In a couple generations, they will out vote us, and attempt not only to use Shariah law themselves, but impose it on everyone else. They should be forced to abide by the rule of law, or be expelled and shipped back to the third rate Islamic states they left behind.
- J. Campbell, Fresno, California, USA
John, you sound like the fox that couldn't quite reach the grapes.
- Tim, Decatur, USA
This verdict and the justice system are a sick joke. What's more, this man should be prosecuted for bigamy. Last time I checked, having two wives was illegal. Oh, but I forgot, equality before the law no longer exists in Britain. Now religion trumps decisions of parliament. This is beyond outrageous.
- John M., London
It's like the argument that if you're poor in Texas you shouldn't have to have auto insurance. Calling it unfair, although it's the law.
- Pat, Texas, USA
Correct me if I am wrong but isn't bigamy still a prisonable offence in the UK?
- Emma, London
One law for the Muslims and another for the rest of us!
- Martyn Parry, Macclesfield
Why is a Muslim allowed to have two wives, When an Englishman would be called a bigamist and could be sent to prison, the mind "boggles".
- Mick Jack, Wellingborough, UK
Now, the more cynical among you will believe that some social groups are treated more favourably than others!
- Roy G, Solihull, England
Under British law this is illegal regardless of his religion, bigamy is illegal as is driving at twice the speed limit.
- Jack Union, London
Under British law, which I believe is still in effect in Britain, a man is allowed one wife. Has something changed that I missed. We cannot have a two tiered system of law in action, people will pick and choose religion to get the shortest penalty for their crimes.
- Steph, Ilford
Simply outrageous. This fool was travelling at more than twice the speed limit but gets away with it!
- Craig, Pinner, Middlesex
So, if it creates hardship in your personal and business life you are allowed to keep your licence and having to commute is now an acceptable reason to speed. Excellent. I hope it applies to all.
- Les, Essex, UK
