Bigamy Has Its Advantages

What double-standard?

Muslim escapes ban after driving at double the speed limit because he has to 'commute between two wives'

When it comes to avoiding a speeding ban, the courts have heard just about every excuse in the book.

But one motorist offered what could only be described as a unique explanation as to why he should keep his licence.

Mohammed Anwar argued that it would be difficult to commute between his two wives if he was banned from the roads.

The curry house boss stays with his spouses on alternate nights and would have been unable to fulfil his matrimonial duties if he was banned from driving.

Incredibly, a sheriff allowed him to stay on the roads, instead fining him and putting points on his licence.

Anwar, 57, was his way home from his restaurant in Falkirk, Stirlingshire, when he was clocked by police, driving at 64mph in a 30mph zone.

Yesterday, at Airdrie Sheriff Court, Anwar, of Glasgow, pleaded guilty to the speeding offence, which took place in August last year.

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 as he has two wives.

"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 be able 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."

Prosecutor Kate Fleming earlier told the court how Anwar was driving in Glasgow, when police using a hand held speed camera, clocked him at driving at more than twice the permitted limit.

The restaurateur made no reply during his five minute court appearance, apart from confirming his identity.

Sheriff John C. Morris Q.C. allowed him to keep his licence, fining Anwar £200 [US$399] and imposing six penalty points on his driving licence.

Speaking from his Indian restaurant, Sanam, in Falkirk's Callander Road, Anwar said: "It is true that I have two wives - but Muslim men are allowed up to four.

"But I am not a religious leader and it is not my place to comment. And 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."

Last night Lorna Jackson, from road safety charity Brake, said it was "astonishing" he had escaped a ban.

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.

Anwar's plea to be allowed to keep his licence joins a long list of unusual excuses heard in courts down the years.

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson was cleared of illegally driving on a motorway hard shoulder because he was rushing to the toilet.

And footballer David Beckham also escaped a ban after arguing he had to break the speed limit to escape a photographer.

Via The Daily Mail

Amazing.