Driver admits causing death of pensioner but judge says he may not be sent to prison
VICTIM’S RELATIVES ADDRESSED IN COURT
A DERBY motorist has admitted killing a pensioner in a collision on the road where the victim lived.
Zahoor Hussain pleaded guilty to causing the death of 87-year-old Sohan Singh through careless driving when he appeared in person at Derby Crown Court.
Mr Singh, who was a pedestrian, died after being struck by a black Nissan Qashqai driven by Hussain on Friday, November 29, 2019.
He was taken to hospital but died later.
Members of his family mily attended this week’s ’s court hearing where they were told by a judge there is a possibility Hussain might not be sent to jail for his actions.
One of them, who identified himself as the victim’s eldest son, n, is a retired police sergeant, prosecutor Stephen ephen Kemp said.
Addressing him, Judge Shaun Smith QC said: “The footage (of the collision) will be played in court at the sentencing hearing.
“If you want to leave court before then that can be arranged – but the judge who sentences will need to see it.
“Two years’ custody is the very top of the (sentencing guidelines) range for an offence of this nature and there will be 25% off that at least (due to Hussain’s guilty plea).
“At the bottom of the range it is a community order. What I am saying here is be prepared for any eventuality. I won’t be doing it, it will be another judge.”
The accident took place in Pastures Hill, Littleover, more than a year ago, close to a bus stop.
The road was cordoned off for a number of hours from Derby High School to the island at the bottom of Rykneld Road, while collision investigators carried out their work.
At the inquest opening, last December, it was said that Mr Singh lived in Pastures Hill and was born in India. A pathologist report was read out by Dr Ro Robert Hunter, senior coroner f for Derby and Derbyshir byshire, which gave a prov provisional cause of de death as head and ch chest injuries.
Judge Smith adjourned the sentencing hearing until the new year so that 39-year-old Hu Hussain, of Whittlebur bury Drive, Heatherton Village, Littleover, can be i interviewed by the probation ser service for a pre-sentence report.
He said: “You have pleaded guilty to this offence and it is a serious offence and I don’t know what the court is going to do, I won’t be the judge.
“I am going to adjourn this until January 11 but the fact that I am adjourning the case does not mean you are not going to be sent to custody.
“The judge on that day will have to have all of the information available to him or her before they decide that.”
He granted Hussain bail until that date.
What I am saying here is be prepared for any eventuality.
Judge Shaun Smith