Manchester bus driver Khalid Mahmood has been handed a 2-year suspended jail sentence, having previously plead guilty to causing death by dangerous driving.
Additionally, Mahmood must do 200 hours of unpaid work, and pay prosecution costs of £1000. He is banned from driving for a period of five years.
In October 2023, Mahmood, from Eccles, crashed his bus into a T4 bubble tea shop in Piccadilly Gardens in Manchester, killing 77-year-old Almena Amica, and injuring eleven others, including bus passengers and pedestrians. He had been driving buses for 40 years and had previously received an award for safe driving. Police tests at the time of the accident did not show any alcohol or drugs in his system.
Mahmood initially claimed the accident was caused by a fault in the bus. However, forensic investigations determined that the bus was in fact roadworthy, and that the driver, not the bus, was at fault. He had apparently confused the pedals and depressed the accelerator thinking it was the brake. This caused the bus to surge forward, with devastating results.
Almena Amica’s sister, Christine, gave an impact statement to the court in which she told of her overwhelming sense of loss following the death of her sister.
Causing death by dangerous driving is a serious offence that can attract severe penalties. When a driver is accused of causing death by dangerous driving, solicitors with expertise in similar cases can give sound and reliable advice.
Auriga Advocates have years of experience in dealing with such cases and are well placed to give high quality support and guidance. If you have been accused of a road traffic offence similar to this, get in touch and let’s see how we can best support you.