Sheffield man left paralysed after losing control of a car at a Derbyshire beauty spot and causing the death of a 19-year-old woman
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Gulroz Khan was behind the wheel of a VW Polo on a winding lane close to Ladybower Reservoir when he lost control of the vehicle, sending it spinning down a steep band and colliding with a tree, Derby Crown Court was told on Friday, October 2.
Khan, 22, of Wilfred Close, Sheffield, was thrown from the vehicle and suffered catastrophic injuries, along with Ameena Khan - who was not related to the defendant - who died at the scene.
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Hide AdThe court heard that Khan, along with four others had been out driving in the evening of June 21 and early hours of June 22, 2018, “drinking and socialising” in the car. They had parked up in the Ladybower area where Khan had got behind the wheel to drive the party back to Sheffield.
Appearing via videolink, Khan pleaded guilty to causing death by careless driving after a seperate charge of causing death while disqualified was dropped.
Prosecuting, Jonathan Cox said: “The defendant was driving a VW Polo with four other passengers at speed. He left the road and was involved in a violent crash. It caused the defendant and Miss Khan to leave the vehicle. He suffered life-changing injuries and it led to the death of Miss Khan.”
He told the court that Khan had a history of motoring offences, including being banned from driving and given a suspended prison sentence for failing to stop and driving without due care and attention in 2017.
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Hide AdFollowing the collision, Khan was so unwell that police could not interview him for almost a year, and since his first appearance before Chesterfield Magistrates’ Court in March, has had to shield, as his condition has left him more susceptible to Covid 19.
Mitigating, James Horne said: “The reality is that Ameena Khan’s death is a tragedy. Miss Khan was blameless. He was the driver of the vehicle and it’s not a role he should have undertaken, but he wasn’t putting his hand up for it either.
“He accepts that his driving record is poor and this aggravates his position.
“His injuries are by far the strongest mitigating factor. He was a healthy young man who is now paralysed - that is the extent of his physical health now.”
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Hide AdThe court heard that Khan now needs carers four times a day and his partner has also had to become his long-term carer following the collision.
Judge Shaun Smith gave Khan a 12-month prison sentence, suspended for 18 months, as physically sending him to prison was not practical and fined him £250 because he was banned from driving at the time of the accident.
Judge Smith also banned Khan from driving for ten years, although admitted that the process was “academic”.
Sentencing him, he said: “Your rehabilitation [for driving offences] is automatic. You have been all but imprisoned in your own body. It was your driving that caused the collision and Ameena’s death. By pleading guilty you have chosen a course of action that allows closure for her family and friends. Whatever I do I can’t bring Ameena back. I wish I could.”