A rushing driver who hit and killed a jogger in south-west London might be despatched to jail for 5 years if he ever returns to the UK, a choose has mentioned.
Rashid Ali, 30, from Slough, was driving at twice the 20 mph (32 kmph) pace restrict when his Vary Rover Sport hit 29-year-old Jack Patrick Ryan close to Battersea Bridge in west London on 13 January 2021.
In August, Ali was convicted in his absence of inflicting dying by harmful driving after failing to attend his trial.
At a sentencing listening to on the Previous Bailey, the court docket was informed he’s at the moment in Pakistan however intends to return to the UK.
Barrister James Scobie KC beforehand learn out an e mail during which the defendant relayed his “nice stress” and “anxiousness” and apologised to “everybody he had let down”.
“I really feel very ashamed of myself and have assassinated my very own character”, and vowed to return to Britain to face any jail sentence,” Ali wrote.
Sentencing Khan to 5 years in jail, in addition to a five-and-a-half yr driving ban, Choose Judy Khan mentioned she had acquired a letter from the defendant saying he meant to return to serve his sentence.
“I’m unable to simply accept that assurance,” Ms Khan mentioned.
Ali ‘had time to cease’
CCTV footage of the collision confirmed advertising government Mr Ryan was struck and thrown into the air earlier than touchdown on the entrance of the Vary Rover on Battersea Bridge.
When Ali’s automobile was about 50m (55yds) away from the site visitors lights, that they had modified from inexperienced to amber – which might have given him time to cease, jurors had been informed.
The defendant had claimed Mr Ryan ran throughout the highway in entrance of his automobile, leaving him no time to use the brakes, the court docket heard.
Nonetheless, prosecutor Philip Stott mentioned that the Freeway Code clearly acknowledged that an amber gentle required a driver to cease on the cease line.
“He had loads of time to cease safely, and he was subsequently obliged to take action by the foundations of the highway,” Mr Stott mentioned.
“As an alternative, the defendant broke these guidelines and, in doing so, precipitated the dying of Mr Ryan.”
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