Sydney Airport Tunnel police pursuit: man convicted after 180km/h chase

A red P-plater who cannot feel his feet but still led police on a 180km/h chase through Sydney’s south will be allowed to take an overseas holiday with his parents due to his medical conditions.

Ahmed Rabieh Krayem (centre), 22, was convicted after he led police on a pursuit at speeds of 180km/h through the Sydney Airport Tunnel.

• Teen charged with drug driving after festival
• Man charged after fatal Sydney crash

A red P-plater who cannot feel his feet but still led police on a 180km/h chase through Sydney’s south will be allowed to take an overseas holiday with his parents due to his medical conditions.

Ahmed Rabieh Krayem, 22, suffers from a condition colloquially known as “dropfoot” after a workplace injury, but it did not stop him from speeding away from police at 180km/h on a rainy night last October.

Police attempted to stop Krayem at 11.44pm on October 14 after they saw him driving at 140km/h in a 70km/h zone on General Holmes Dr in Botany.

Krayem then accelerated “harshly and deliberately” away from officers, reaching speeds of at least 180km/h in a 70km/h zone and 110km/h in a 50km/h zone while drifting between lanes before he was arrested on Bestic St in Kyeemagh.

Krayem was travelling west on General Holmes Dr when he was seen by police. Picture: John Grainger

“The speed and erratic driving demonstrated by the accused showed little regard to the safety of other road users,” the agreed police facts stated.

“If an impact did occur there would have been a high likelihood that members of the public would be seriously injured or killed by the accused’s actions.”

Magistrate Glenn Bartley convicted Krayem of a police pursuit and exceeding the speed limit by more than 45km/h at Sutherland Local Court on November 29 and sentenced him to a 20 month intensive corrections order, a four year driving disqualification and 200 hours of community service.

Krayem will appeal that sentence’s severity at Sydney District Court on February 11.

Police said Krayem reached speeds of 180km/h in a 70km/h zone during the pursuit.

However, Magistrate Philip Stewart granted a stay of Krayem’s intensive corrections order on Tuesday so the Picnic Point man can travel with his parents to Kuala Lumpur on a trip booked before his offence last year.

In a letter to the court, Krayem’s doctor Jamal Rifi said a piece of glass severed his sciatic nerve in his right thigh in a 2015 workplace accident.

The court heard complications from his condition led to necrosis in his right big toe, which was subsequently amputated.

Krayem’s solicitor also told the court he has dislocated his right shoulder 11 times and required a reconstruction due to his recent reliance on crutches.

The pursuit came to an end in Kyeemagh, south of Sydney. Picture: Craig Wilson

The court heard Krayem is now dependent on his parents for medical assistance and would be unable to cope without their help if he was not permitted to travel overseas with them.

Police prosecutor Ms Rodrigues opposed the application although Krayem’s parents put up a $5000 surety to guarantee their son’s return from the upcoming trip.

When he was arrested Krayem told police he “panicked” when he saw the flashing lights and sped off, though he admitted he was aware of specific laws prohibiting high speed police pursuits.

“He stated ‘Yeah, I know about Skye’s law as well’”, the agreed police facts stated.

“My cousin got done for it.”

Krayem’s solicitor said Krayem would be able to knit blankets for less fortunate people as part of his community service as it would not require the use of his injured feet.