Man admits killing Wolverhampton University student
A killer motorist who left a Wolverhampton University student to die in the road was facing a lengthy jail sentence today after admitting dangerous driving.
Joseph O'Reilly was hit by Fahid Saber's Volkswagon Polo as he walked on Birmingham's Broad Street during a night out with friends.
Police launched an appeal after the driver left the scene in the early hours of December 15 last year and Saber was eventually traced to an address in the Bordesley area of the city.
Yesterday he admitted one charge of causing death by dangerous driving and one charge of dangerous driving at Birmingham Crown Court yesterday.
Saber, who was 21 at the time of the collision, spoke only to confirm his details and state his pleas.
A further charge of causing death by driving without due care and attention at a time when he was unfit to drive due to drink was dropped.
Judge David Farrell told Saber, of Bromford Lane, Bromford, to expect a lengthy prison sentence.
"You have pleaded guilty to an offence of extreme seriousness," he said.
"I make it clear the inevitable sentence is a prison sentence and a long prison sentence."
Miss Samantha Powis, prosecuting, asked for a lengthy adjournment so Mr O'Reilly's family members could arrange to travel from his native Ireland for the sentencing.
The case was adjourned until October 24 so a pre-sentence report could be carried out.
Mr O'Reilly, aged 22 and living at the university's Walsall campus, was a huge Aston Villa fan and had moved to be closer to the team he supported.
Known as Jody, had been due to go back to Ireland and was enjoying a night out with friends when he was hit by Saber's car outside the Solomon Cutler pub just after 5am.
Saber, who was wearing a blue suit and a white shirt with no tie, was given unconditional bail, but was also handed an interim driving ban.
Aston Villa held a minute's applause for Mr O'Reilly before their Boxing Day clash with Crystal Palace.
Boss Paul Lambert later dedicated the subsequent win to him.
He had been due to see his team in action against Manchester United on the day of his death.
Tributes poured in for the student, who was originally from County Kildare, with a Facebook page set up in his memory gaining more than 12,000 members.
Mr O'Reilly was described by friends as 'the most popular man on campus'.
Members of his family attended the court hearing but did not want to comment on Saber's pleas.
