'Showing off' banned driver speeding in his new Mercedes caused Tipton crash which killed his friend

Richard Strickland, aged 47, was sentenced this week having previously pleaded guilty to causing the death by dangerous driving of Deepak Nayyar and causing serious injury by dangerous driving to Davinder Bains in a collision which happened on January 3, 2024.

The incident happened near the junction of Alexandra Road and Thursfield Road in Tipton, near the Bains Stores shop, at around 6.30pm.

Sentencing Strickland at Wolverhampton Crown Court, Judge Michael Chambers KC said: “You were driving a Mercedes sports car C320 that you acquired the previous day. The prosecution infers that you were showing off.

“In the front seat was Deepak Nayyar who was 43 years old. There was a left-hand bend in the road and coming towards was the other injured party, Davinder Bains, who was driving in the proper manner in a 30mph area.

“You were driving at 71mph to 75mph which is about twice in excess of the speed limit.

“I have seen the CCTV. It was truly horrific and could be described as every driver’s nightmare to see another driver coming towards you in that way.

“Mr Bains was not as seriously injured as Mr Nayyar, who suffered extremely serious injuries and who died on February 1 despite the best efforts of those who treated him and his life support was turned off.

“He was clearly much loved by his family.

“Mr Bains was discharged from hospital in a wheelchair. The incident has had a huge effect on his life.”

“I note that you were not only banned from driving for dangerous driving, you had no insurance and no MOT.

“In your police interview you gave no comment and I query the extent to which you are remorseful.

“In my judgement you are entitled to 20 per cent credit for your guilty pleas. The incident also involved you seriously exceeding the speed limit.”

Rajbir Punia, prosecuting, said Strickland was given a two-year suspended jail term in 2020 for dangerous driving.

She said the deceased died from severe head injuries almost a month after he was airlifted from the scene to Birmingham’s Queen Elizabeth Hospital. Mr Bains suffered a fractured leg, pelvis and chest injuries and received surgery for steel plates as a result.

In mitigation Suzanne Francis said Mr Nayyar was like a brother to the defendant who was disgusted by what he had done. She said he was also injured in the crash and offered his “deepest apologies” to the victim’s family.

“He knows he’s going to prison for a long time.”

For causing Mr Nayyar’s death the defendant was jailed for 11 years and for seriously injuring Mr Bains he was jailed for three years, to run concurrently. He must serve two-thirds of the term before being released on licence.

Strickland, of Jonah Drive, Tipton, was also given an extended road ban of seven years and three months.

The judge gave his condolences to the bereaved family who were in court to see Strickland sent down.