An Amazon worker had been drinking "strong lager" and was streaming music on his mobile phone before he killed a much-loved grandmother in a high-speed crash.
Amazon distribution centre worker Abobakr Mohammed, 25, hit speeds of up to 77mph in a 30mph zone before he collided with 55-year-old Marion Whittaker in Gateshead in November last year. Mohammed had been drinking lager and had cannabis in his system when he took the decision to drive into Newcastle with a co-worker in order to get food.
Newcastle Crown Court heard on Tuesday that Mohammed's Toyota flipped over following the fatal crash on Old Durham Road and landed back on its wheels as members of the public gathered at the scene. Mrs Whittaker, who was walking back from looking after her grandchildren at around 10pm, was tragically killed after sustaining "catastrophic injuries".
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Mohammed, of Mardale Gardens, Gateshead, appeared at the court to be sentenced for causing her death by dangerous driving. He required the aid of an Arabic interpreter throughout the proceedings.
Tom Mitchell, prosecuting, said on November 25 last year Mohammed had been drinking "particularly strong lager" at a work colleague's home in Gateshead when he decided to drive them into Newcastle for food in his Toyota. Mohammed's acquaintance advised him not to, but they ventured out anyway after he "reassured him" it would be fine. Mr Mitchell said that the passenger asked Mohammed, who had his mobile phone between his legs, to "slow down" during the journey as he was driving "too quickly".
Mr Mitchell said: "The defendant was driving at least 77mph in a 30mph area and had been told to slow down. He was intoxicated with drink and drugs and was distracted by his phone, which was between his legs and streaming music."
The court heard that Mohammed approached the brow of a hill at speed before colliding with Mrs Whittaker. At the same time, an ambulance was transporting a patient to hospital, with the ambulance driver saying Mohammed's car "looked out of control" as it turned sharply before it rolled over "numerous times" as it hit bollards and a parked car. Paramedics from the ambulance then assisted at the scene as Mohammed - who was uninjured - climbed out of the car's window. His passenger sustained minor injuries.
Mr Mitchell said: "At the scene, the defendant asked a paramedic if he had hit someone. The defendant was asked if he had been on his mobile phone and he accepted he had been. Members of the public had also gathered."
A member of the public who also witnessed the crash said Mohammed's Toyota "flipped over on its roof and landed back on its wheels". The court heard that the scene was later examined and a speed report concluded the vehicle was travelling "not less than 77mph in a 30mph zone" at the time.
Mr Mitchell said that Mohammed gave a breath sample that revealed he was over the drink-drive limit and a blood sample found he had cannabis in his system. He said: "His phone was cross referenced and analysed and found he was streaming music on an app. During the journey, that device was unlocked on a number of occasions either by entering a six-digit pin code or finger print registration. The defendant was using his phone just prior to the collision." The court was told Mohammed had an international driver's licence and was not driving in accordance with a provisional driver's licence at the time of the crash.
In a victim impact statement, Mrs Whittaker's daughter said the family were left "shocked and upset" and were "struggling to come to terms with the loss of our mam". The statement said she was a "loving and caring person who would do anything for anyone" and was "always there when I needed her". Mrs Whittaker, who was also a carer for her husband, was described as a "beautiful woman who was so strong and died way too young."
Gul Nawaz Hussain QC, defending, said: "This is a horrific and tragic case, that is not lost on the defendant. He does not want any sympathy, he knows he doesn't deserve it. The victim impact statement had a profound impact upon him and he is genuinely remorseful for the consequences of his actions. He said he does not deserve to live." The court heard that Mohammed had no previous convictions.
Sentencing Mohammed, Judge Julie Clemitson said Mrs Whittaker's family had been "left utterly bereft" at the "utterly avoidable" death. She said: "You should never have been behind the wheel of that car that evening. Your passenger described the journey as scary, and when he looked at you it appeared to him you were consumed with your phone. You are unable to explain why you drove at such speed and ignored his requests to slow down. On a number of occasions you interacted with your phone in some way."
She added: "You did not set out to hurt anybody that evening, but the manner in which you drove was so highly dangerous, and the result so devastating, only immediate custody can be justified." Mohammed was jailed for six years and four months and banned from driving for seven years and two months. He must also take an extended driving test. The court was told that he is liable to be automatically deported after serving his custodial sentence.
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