A DANGEROUS driver who forced pedestrians to jump out of the way when his Mercedes mounted the pavement in Boscombe has appeared in court.

Skender Safqi’s car was seen swerving all over Ashley Road before bouncing up the pavement near the bus station in an incident captured on dashcam.

The black car swerved into the oncoming carriageway, forcing other vehicles to take evasive action, before a brave member of the public snatched the keys from the ignition when the vehicle got stuck in traffic in Christchurch Road.

He also encouraged another driver to block the vehicle in and called the police.

Safqi, 52, of Cromwell Road, Bournemouth admitted dangerous driving and failing to provide a specimen for analysis. The court heard a roadside drug swipe gave a positive result for cannabis.

He appeared at Bournemouth Crown Court for sentence and received four months in prison, suspended for 12 months. He was also ordered to carry out 120 hours of unpaid work and told to pay £250 costs and a £115 fine.

He was banned from driving for 18 months and must take an extended test in order to get his licence back.

The incident happened at 1.10pm on Saturday April 21 when Boscombe was busy with shoppers.

The Mercedes was first spotted in Ashley Road and then seen to exit the Christchurch Road roundabout and drive into a bus stop lay-by, narrowly avoiding pedestrians on the pavement. The vehicle mounted the pavement again near the junction with Haviland Road, causing more pedestrians to move out of the way.

The car then got stuck in traffic on Christchurch Road and the witness, who had captured the manner of driving on his dashcam, and another motorist blocked the vehicle in and removed the keys before calling the police.

When police attended they found Safqi sitting in the driver’s seat . He appeared dazed and confused and was unsteady on his feet.

A drug swipe indicated a positive result for cannabis and Safqi was arrested and taken to Bournemouth Police Station. He refused to provide a urine sample for analysis.

Detective Constable Corina Palmer said: “Skender Safqi’s driving was extremely dangerous and it was only through luck that no members of the public were seriously hurt. I would like to thank the members of the public who assisted in ensuring his vehicle was stopped, particularly the witness who also captured the incident on dashcam.”