Uninsured driver jailed for killing student in Sutton Coldfield

A young driver who killed a university student and seriously injured her friend in Sutton Coldfield has been jailed for nine years and four months.

Saleh Hassan, 20, was sentenced at Birmingham Crown Court on Friday 18 September and disqualified from driving for 12 years and eight months.

What happened

Natasha Thorp, 21, was out with her best friend on Brassington Avenue in Sutton Coldfield on 22 August last year when she was hit by a Toyota Corolla driven by Hassan. The car had been driven erratically and mounted the pavement.

Natasha was pronounced dead at the scene despite the efforts of passers-by and emergency crews. Her friend suffered serious leg injuries. Hassan was arrested at the scene.

He had passed his driving test less than two months earlier and was not insured to drive that night, even though he had been making food deliveries earlier in the evening.

At a hearing on 21 July he admitted causing death by dangerous driving, causing serious injury by dangerous driving and causing death while uninsured.

"We miss our dear Tash"

In a statement, Natasha's family said: "Tash was our daughter, a sister, a girlfriend, a granddaughter, a niece, and a friend to so many. No words will ever be able to express just how much we miss our dear Tash."

PC Lee Riley, of the force's Serious Collision Investigation Unit, said: "This young woman has tragically lost her life and her friend left with serious injuries by the actions caused by Hassan."

New drivers and risk

Young and newly qualified drivers are involved in a disproportionate number of serious crashes. Road safety charities have called for graduated licences, which would place limits on new drivers for their first months on the road, and the Government has been considering changes to the rules for learners and new drivers.

Driving without insurance

Driving without insurance is a criminal offence. Police can seize uninsured vehicles, and victims of uninsured drivers can claim compensation through the Motor Insurers' Bureau.