'Clean living' crash driver is spared jail (From Oxford Mail)

'Clean living' crash driver is spared jail

12:00pm Wednesday 13th March 2013 in News By Oliver Evans, covering Banbury. Call me on 01865 425271

A MUM-of-two was left with a fractured spine, a broken arm and leg after a head-on smash with a dangerous driver.

But despite causing the smash after trying to overtake three cars before a bend, Mohammed Khalid has been spared jail.

Kathryn McFall, 39 from Chipping Norton, endured five operations after the crash last summer.

She spent two weeks in intensive care and six weeks in a trauma unit, still uses a crutch and may require plastic surgery.

Khalid hit her Fiat 500 on a sharp bend on the A361 Banbury Road at 8.05am last July 3.

The 21-year-old from Manor Road, Banbury, appeared at Oxford Crown Court for sentencing last week.

Despite the damage he caused, Recorder Emily Formby said Khalid was an “exceptional” case as he had shown remorse and was of previous good character.

Prosecutor Jonathan Stone said the smash had “devastating consequences” for the victim, who is now seeking civil damages.

Two drivers who witnessed the incident said Khalid’s Mini Cooper was driving too close behind before overtaking near South Newington, Mr Stone told the court.

One of them, Philip Gill, said he “immediately had a sense of danger” as Khalid approached in the middle of the road.

He added: “As soon as I lost sight of the Mini I heard a bang and saw debris flying.”

Mr Stone said Khalid had “not admitted full responsibility in this case and shows little or no remorse”.

However, Michael Ivers, defending, said the incident took time to “sink in” and he admitted dangerous driving at the first opportunity.

In a statement Khalid said he was “truly sorry” adding: “I have replayed (the accident) in my mind over and over again asking myself why I had been so foolish and stupid.”

Khalid was also injured in the crash. He spent three months in a wheelchair, had struggled to eat and sleep and woke up “screaming and sobbing” his lawyer said.

He also lost his car salesman job .

Recorder Formby said Khalid had shown “truly dreadful driving”, but said Khalid was a “serious man” who had lived a “good, clean life”, including charity work.

Khalid was given a 10 month sentence, suspended with supervision for a year, 200 hours’ unpaid work, 24 months disqualification and has to take an extended driving re-test to get back on the road.

Comments are closed on this article.