A 48-year-old man appeared in Norwich Crown Court on July 15 charged with causing death by careless driving and causing serious injury by careless driving.
Assisted by an interpreter, he pleaded guilty to both charges, and was remanded in custody, pending sentencing which is scheduled for September 27. He had earlier pleaded guilty in Norwich Magistrates’ Court to a charge of drink driving.
At about 1:20 am on December 24, 2025, the defendant’s Renault Megane struck two pedestrians in Barrack Street, Norwich. A 28-year-old man was declared dead at the scene, while the other victim suffered serious but not life-threatening injuries and was taken to hospital for emergency treatment. Tests revealed that the defendant’s alcohol level was almost double the legal limit when tested shortly after the accident.
Given the seriousness of the offence and the likelihood of a substantial jail sentence, Judge Andrew Shaw refused to grant bail to the defendant, who will remain in custody until sentencing later this year. The judge expressed his sincere sorrow for the victims’ family’s losses. He made it clear to the defendant that a custodial sentence was inevitable, and that it could extend up to six years.
Driving offences that cause a fatality or serious injury can attract heavy jail sentences. If you are being investigated for a serious driving offence such as causing death by careless driving, solicitors at Auriga Advocates are here to help. Contact us now, and let’s talk through your options.