Reckless driver killed dad-of-four after crashing £105k Audi at 102mph | UK | News | EUROtoday

A person has been jailed for greater than 11 years following a deadly collision on the A500 in Newcastle-under-Lyme. Sulejman Zekthi, 34, was sentenced to 11 years and 5 months behind bars at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court on Friday, October 31, after he pleaded responsible to killing an 80-year-old man by harmful driving and aggravated automobile taking on the metropolis’s crown court docket.

On May 3, 2023, Zekthi took the high-performance £105,000 silver Audi from his Wolverhampton employer with out permission, driving it to Stoke-on-Trent. The subsequent day, he was travelling at 102mph alongside the A500 southbound slip street at Wolstanton when he collided with a black Vauxhall and a purple Nissan. Zekthi fled the scene, police mentioned, and regardless of initially denying the offences, sufficient proof was gathered which finally satisfied him to plead responsible in court docket. Stephen Penman, 80 and a father-of-four, was a passenger within the Vauxhall, was taken to hospital and died three weeks later.

PC Matthew Brailsford, of the collision investigation unit, mentioned: “This horrifying collision caused the death of a beloved man who was simply out shopping.

“Having stolen a automotive from his employer, Zekthi then drove at harmful speeds and brought on a wholly avoidable collision.

“It is only thanks to the witnesses who came forward and assisted us that the investigation team were able to put forwards a file of evidence that secured this conviction, and for that, I am very grateful, as are Stephen’s family who have waited patiently for justice throughout this very difficult time.

“The sentencing displays the seriousness of the offences and the profound hurt brought on to Stephen and his household. Our ideas stay with them and all these affected by this tragic occasion.”

In a victim statement, Deborah Hassall said Stephen was her ‘dearest partner’ and her life has been unrecognisable from how it was before his death. Her daily routine is now a chore and no longer brings laughter, and she had to visit doctors due to stress. While she used to enjoy going to places like the Lake District with Stephen, she now visits the local park.

She added: “Steve didn’t need to be taken too quickly earlier than his time.”

Zekthi was additionally disqualified from driving for 12 years and three months and ordered to pay a £228 sufferer surcharge on the listening to on Friday.

Balbir Singh, mitigating, mentioned Zekthi left the scene resulting from panic and concern, in response to the Manchester Evening News. He mentioned the defendant misplaced his dad 5 years in the past, and his pal was killed, and people issues, along with this, have led to a level of post-traumatic stress dysfunction.