Van driver pleads guilty to killing university student in central London crash
Aalia Mahomed, 20, who was studying at King’s College London, died at the scene of the collision in the Strand on March 18 last year.
A van driver who knocked down an iron gate, mounted a flower bed and fatally struck a university student while she was sitting on a bench near her campus in central London is facing jail after pleading guilty to the killing.
Aalia Mahomed, who was studying at King’s College London, died at the scene of the collision on the Strand on March 18 last year.
The 20-year-old, who was in her second year of a physics and philosophy degree, was described by her family after the incident as a bright, kind and beautiful soul who brought joy and laughter to everyone around her.
Two other people, Irem Yoldas and Yamin Belmessous, were injured in the incident.
Christopher Jackson, 27, of Southampton, appeared at the Old Bailey on Monday and pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving and two counts of causing serious injury by dangerous driving.
He admitted the charges with a sombre expression and with his head bowed, and continued to look towards the floor for the majority of the hearing.
That morning, Jackson was instructed for work to collect two electric vehicles from Bush House in Aldwych, according to the Metropolitan Police.
After leaving Bush House’s courtyard, the defendant drove at speed towards iron gates that led to the pedestrian zone of the Strand.
Jackson crashed into the gates which fell and hit a 28-year-old woman and a 24-year-old man who suffered life-changing injuries.
He then drove forward onto a flower bed, with the van going briefly airborne before colliding with Ms Mahomed who was sitting on a bench on the other side of the greenery facing away from the vehicle.
Jackson continued before stopping close to the wall of St Mary le Strand church.
Prosecutor Fiona Robertson said Ms Mahomed’s family and the two surviving victims are “anxious” for Jackson to be sentenced before the anniversary of the incident.
Judge Philip Katz KC said: “It is inevitably going to be a substantial custodial sentence.”
Jessica Clarke, defending, told the court Jackson has three young children with his fiancee and has been trying to “earn as much money” as he can for his family before the sentencing.
She also said: “Unlike many cases of death by dangerous driving which involve excessive speed, alcohol and drugs, this involves none of that. It was a tragic accident.”
Jackson, who was remanded in custody, will be sentenced at the same court on March 6.
Detective Chief Superintendent Donna Smith, of the Met’s Serious Collison Investigation Unit, said: “Our thoughts remain with Aalia’s friends and family at this time. We can only imagine the pain they are suffering and we know nothing can undo what’s happened.
“We hope today’s guilty plea brings them a small measure of comfort.”
Police took statements from more than 88 public witnesses and 84 police witnesses.
Ms Smith continued: “I want to thank our officers for their dedication and professionalism in helping to achieve justice.
“We would also like to thank the members of the public who came to Aalia’s aid, and to all of those who assisted us with our investigation.”
