Disqualified motorist is jailed for 32 weeks after he was caught taking his family on ‘shopping trip’ to Asda in second-hand AMBULANCE with its emergency lights flashing
- Blessing Mukaukirwa, 32, was jailed after the incident in Harpurhey last night
- He was handed the 32-week sentence today at Manchester Magistrates’ Court
- Emergency vehicle carrying a family when it arrived at supermarket, said police
- Traffic cops said group parked and ‘promptly went inside to do their shopping’
A disqualified motorist has been jailed for 32 weeks after he was caught taking his family on a ‘shopping trip’ to Asda in a second-hand ambulance – with the emergency lights flashing.
The emergency vehicle was carrying a family when it rolled up to the supermarket in Harpurhey, Greater Manchester, last night, according to police.
Traffic cops said the group parked up and ‘promptly went inside to do their shopping’ before the driver was apprehended and found to be disqualified.
Blessing Mukaukirwa, 32, appeared at Manchester Magistrates’ Court today and was handed a 32-week prison sentence for driving while disqualified and using a motor vehicle without a third party insurance.
The emergency vehicle (pictured above) was carrying a family when it rolled up to the supermarket in Harpurhey, Greater Manchester, last night, according to police
Officers have seized the ambulance.
Greater Manchester Police said in a statement earlier today: ‘A man has been charged after an ambulance carrying a family was found in Harpurhey.
‘Blessing Mukaukirwa, of no fixed abode, has been charged with single counts of driving whilst disqualified, driving without a license, driving without insurance, using a vehicle with unauthorised blue lights, and failing to appear in court.
‘He has been remanded in custody and is to appear at Manchester Magistrates’ Court today.
‘Police were called on the evening of Wednesday 27 January to a report of a family in an ambulance near Asda in Harpurhey.’
A spokesman for Manchester Magistrates’ Court has since confirmed to MailOnline that Mukaukirwa has been jailed for 32 weeks after being convicted of two offences.
The Asda store in Harpurhey, Greater Manchester. Traffic cops say the group parked up and ‘promptly went inside to do their shopping’ before the driver was apprehended
In a tweet, GMP Traffic earlier said: ‘This ambulance was reportedly carrying a family when it arrived at #Asda Harpurhey with blue lights flashing.
‘Occupants promptly went inside to do their shopping. Our divisional colleagues tracked them down & the driver was found to be disqualified & also wanted by the court.
‘The driver has been arrested and is now en-route to custody.’
The force said it believes the ambulance was purchased second hand, which is legal in the UK.