Blessing Mukaukirwa, 32, who was already disqualified from driving, used a second-hand ambulance complete with emergency blue lights flashing to go to an Asda supermarket in Manchester on Wednesday night.
The Zimbabwean national who is of no fixed abode left the ambulance in the car park of the Asda in Harpurhey, Greater Manchester and went inside with his family to do some shopping. However, the staff grew suspicious as they were not dressed as paramedics and called the police.
Officers from Greater Manchester police promptly arrived and arrested Mukaukirwa and seized the ambulance. Following the arrest, the police discovered that Mukaukirwa was disqualified from driving. He was charged with single counts of driving while disqualified, driving without a license, driving without insurance, using a vehicle with unauthorised blue lights, and failing to appear in court.
He told police that the ambulance had been purchased that day by his brother at an auction. Manchester magistrates’ court was told on Thursday that he denied being the driver before CCTV footage showed that he was.
The Zimbabwean national appeared at Manchester Magistrates’ Court where he admitted offences of driving while disqualified and with no insurance.
He was jailed for 32 weeks after his convictions activated a suspended sentence for other driving offences.
Following the sentencing, Harpurhey councillor Pat Karney slammed Mukaukirwa’s ‘shameful and idiotic behaviour’.
He said: “This story has gone around the world and has thrashed the good name of Harpurhey.
“Everyone I have spoken to locally has condemned this shameful and idiotic behaviour.
“I will be talking to the head of the ambulance service to prevent this ever happening again.”
The police force said it believes the ambulance was purchased second hand, which is legal in the UK.-iharare
