A learner driver who killed a father-of-three returning from a funeral after driving dangerously in a supermarket car park was jailed for four years.

Ali Zafar was aged 17 and at the wheel of a vehicle with a fogged up windscreen before he fatally collided with pedestrian Derek Blackshaw in Glasgow.

Zafar, now 19, had been allowed to borrow the keys for the vehicle on the basis that he did not drive the car.

A judge told him at the High Court in Edinburgh that he had read victim impact statements from the deceased's family and said they were "bereft" and "devastated".

Judge John McCormick said no sentence which the court could impose would reflect their loss or grief.

He told Zafar that a custodial sentence was required and added: "It is necessary to punish you, to seek to deter you and others from driving in such a dangerous manner and, of course, to protect the public."

The judge pointed out that the aggravating features included Zafar driving at speed in the car park and failing to stop and alert the authorities after the collision.

He told him he would have faced a six year jail term for the offence, but it would be reduced to take account of his guilty plea.

The judge banned Zafar from driving for eight years and ordered that he must pass an extended test before holding a driving licence in future.

Zafar, of Calfhill Road, Glasgow, earlier admitted causing the death of Mr Blackshaw (46) on October 1 in 2021 at a Morrison car park in the city's Cardonald area by dangerous driving.

He drove the vehicle while visibility was obscured by condensation on the windscreen, at excessive speed for the conditions, failed to maintain observations and failed to react to the presence of the project manager victim.

Zafar, who held a provisional licence at the time, was travelling at an average speed of 32 mph in the car park and said to a passenger in the car that he had "just hit a guy" before driving away from the scene.

Mr Blackshaw had attended the funeral of a family friend earlier in the day and after visiting a snooker club was taking a shortcut home when he was struck and killed.

The court heard that Zafar had asked if he could borrow a colleague's car keys to listen to music in the vehicle. Muneed Naeem agreed on condition that he did not move the car.

But Zafar drove along Paisley Road West before turning into the car park and was driving over a 30 mph limit before the fatal incident.

He drove back to a takeaway and told the owner of the car what had occurred. Mr Naeem thought it was a joke at first until he saw damage to the vehicle. He then contacted emergency services and went to the scene and attempted CPR on the victim.

Defence counsel Duncan McPhie said first offender Zafar was remorseful and wished to apologise to the bereaved family.

He lodged a letter with the court from the mosque Zafar attended and said the teenager did charity work.
there.

Mr McPhie said the court would no doubt have regard to the guidelines for sentencing young people given the age of Zafar at the time of the offence and now.

https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/learner-driver-jailed-after-killing-31237039

Your third posting today on this incident…although one can understand your
concern about having a clear windscreen.

Simon Mason <swldxer1958@gmail.com> wrote:

> A learner driver who killed a father-of-three returning from a funeral
> after driving dangerously in a supermarket car park was jailed for four years.

> https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/learner-driver-jailed-after-killing-31237039
>

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Spike

QUOTE: He drove the vehicle while visibility was obscured by condensation on the windscreen, at excessive speed for the conditions, failed to maintain observations and failed to react to the presence of the project manager victim. ENDS

You see many thousands of these idiots on the school run on winter mornings frantically trying to wipe the inside of the windscreen with a car full of kids. They then peer through a tiny circle as they speed down a 20mph road - no wonder there are 25000 people injured every year.

On 21/10/2023 07:19 am, Simon Mason wrote:

> QUOTE: He drove the vehicle while visibility was obscured by condensation on the windscreen, at excessive speed for the conditions, failed to maintain observations and failed to react to the presence of the project manager victim. ENDS
>
> You see many thousands of these idiots on the school run on winter mornings frantically trying to wipe the inside of the windscreen with a car full of kids. They then peer through a tiny circle as they speed down a 20mph road - no wonder there are 25000 people injured every year.

Oh, for very shame... YOU, of all people, have absolutely no room to
criticise others for using a motor vehicle with an obscured windscreen.

You, the chav who drove across half a continent with non-functioning
windscreen wipers because you were just too tight to pay for the
immediately-necessary repair or for vehicle recovery.

Simon Mason <swldxer1958@gmail.com> wrote:
> QUOTE: He drove the vehicle while visibility was obscured by condensation
> on the windscreen, at excessive speed for the conditions, failed to
> maintain observations and failed to react to the presence of the project
> manager victim. ENDS
>
> You see many thousands of these idiots on the school run on winter
> mornings frantically trying to wipe the inside of the windscreen with a
> car full of kids. They then peer through a tiny circle as they speed down
> a 20mph road - no wonder there are 25000 people injured every year.

There’s a video going about showing a cyclist, riding along a straight road
in daylight in good weather, who crashes into the back of a stationary car.

Cyclists need to get their own house in order before complaining about
others.

--
Spike

A man who drove at "ludicrous" speeds of up to 113mph in a 40mph zone has been jailed for causing the death of a father-of-three.

Ryan Selby was seen overtaking several vehicles as he drove along the A259 in Hastings, East Sussex, before he entered a white cross-hatched area and hit Oli Paxton as he was crossing the road.

The 23-year-old factory worker was estimated to have been driving at speeds between 107 and 113mph and struck Mr Paxton without braking.

The victim, described as a "beloved husband, wonderful father and cherished friend", died at the scene on 9 March 2021.

Selby, of Burry Road, St Leonards, pleaded guilty at Lewes Crown Court to dangerous driving and was jailed for seven and a half years and was banned from driving for eight years and three months.

Sentencing him, Judge Christine Laing KC said: "You showed a flagrant disregard for the rules of the road and for how dangerous your driving was to other road users, your utter disregard is staggering.

"I am in no doubt you did not see Oli Paxton due to your ludicrous speeds, despite the fact it was a residential area with two schools in the vicinity."

Police investigator Tudor Wells, of Sussex Police, said: "This incident has had a devastating impact on the family of a much-loved father and husband.

"Selby habitually drove recklessly, and on March 9 2021, this had tragic consequences which demonstrate the appalling consequences of driving at excess speed."

Mr Paxton's widow Jill Paxton said: "When Oli was killed, mine and my children's lives were irreparably destroyed and sadly, the justice system cannot convict for this unaccounted damage.

"Oli was selfless, easy-going and authentic; a man of unending generosity, a devoted husband and a fun-loving father who can never be replaced.

"By speeding at 110mph in a 40mph zone, he showed a complete disregard for the lives of others and his reckless behaviour inevitably robbed me of my husband and my three young boys of their father.

"I can only hope that Ryan is haunted by this experience, preventing him from ever again inflicting danger on others.

"May Oli's death serve as a reminder to those who take risks when driving.

"A car can be a lethal weapon and your actions could have unthinkable consequences."

https://news.sky.com/story/driver-jailed-for-killing-pedestrian-while-speeding-at-ludicrous-113mph-in-40mph-zone-12735830

Simon Mason <swldxer1958@gmail.com> wrote:
> A man who drove at "ludicrous" speeds of up to 113mph in a 40mph zone has
> been jailed for causing the death of a father-of-three.

Old news: *Tuesday 1 November 2022 19:40, UK*

> https://news.sky.com/story/driver-jailed-for-killing-pedestrian-while-speeding-at-ludicrous-113mph-in-40mph-zone-12735830

--
Spike

QUOTE: Selby, of Burry Road, St Leonards, pleaded guilty at Lewes Crown Court to dangerous driving and was jailed for seven and a half years and was banned from driving for eight years and three months. ENDS

De facto 16 years ban then - a great result.