Jailed crash driver back behind bars after admitting drug deals
PRISON RECALL SERVED ON MAN WHO LEFT BEST FRIEND WITH LIFE-CHANGING INJURIES
A 23-year-old Derby man, who changed the life of his best friend forever when he crashed head-on into a tree, has now admitted to being a drug dealer.
Mohammed Yaqub pleaded guilty to charges of possession with intent to supply heroin, crack cocaine and cannabis when he appeared at Southern Derbyshire Magistrates’ Court.
The charges relates to him being caught with the two class A drugs in Rykneld Recreation Ground, Bedford Close, Littleover on Monday. The cannabis charge, from the same day, saw a quantity of the class B drug being found at his address in London Road, Alvaston.
Peter Jones, his solicitor, told the short hearing: “Given he has been recalled to prison, there is no bail application and he will be remanded on these matters.” District Judge Jonathan Taaffe remanded Yaqub into custody and told him his next court appearance will be at Derby Crown, on August 23.
The recall to prison relates to the defendant being jailed in August 2020 when he left his pal of 15 years with such catastrophic injuries that more than a year after the crash he still had no independent movement and has to be fed through a tube.
That sentencing hearing was told how Yaqub was driving as fast as 87mph while racing another car when he lost control in Manor Road.
He was taken to hospital after giving police false details before running off and finally handing himself in more than five hours later. His friend suffered a fractured skull, spine, ribs, collapsed lung and a severe brain injury.
Jailing him for three years and four months in 2020, Recorder William Harbage QC said: “Your dangerous driving has caused catastrophic, life-changing injuries. It is a near-death case, the injuries are as bad as you can get without someone losing their life.
“He had a fractured skull, a fractured spine, fractured ribs, a collapsed lung, lacerations to his spleen and a traumatic brain injury. He still has to be fed by a tube and has pretty much no hope of independent living for the rest of his life.
“That was all caused by your bad driving, that was your responsibility. You were speeding at between 62mph and 87mph and I am entirely satisfied you were racing (another car).
“Whichever end of the scale it was, this loss of control was caused by your grossly excessive speed and your inexperience. I am told that you think about this every day? I hope that you do.”
The crash happened at around 8.30pm on May 8, 2019. Witnesses later told police they saw the silver Toyota Corolla, driven by unlicensed and uninsured Yaqub, racing with a dark-coloured car, possibly a Vauxhall Corsa, which has never been traced.
The Toyota left the road and went headfirst into a tree leaving the victim with his catalogue of serious injuries.
As well as the jail sentence, Yaqub was disqualified from driving for five years and eight months.