Van driver jailed after killing London student

Van Driver Jailed for Killing London Student

A 27-year-old man from Southampton has been sentenced to eight years in prison following a van crash that resulted in the death of a 20-year-old student near a London university campus.

The incident occurred on 18 March of last year when Christopher Jackson, who had previously confessed to the fatal accident, struck the gates near King’s College London’s (KCL) campus in the Strand. The Old Bailey was informed that the student, Aalia Mahomed, was in her second year of studying physics and philosophy when the collision happened.

Jackson had been assigned to retrieve a van from Bush House in Aldwych, but he was unfamiliar with electric vehicles. The court was told that his van hit the gates, briefly lifting off the ground, and then struck Mahomed, who was seated on a bench. The vehicle came to rest close to the wall of St Mary-Le-Strand church, with the entire event lasting approximately six seconds.

“It is accepted that you were pressing or pumping on the accelerator, thinking it was the brake,” said Judge Philip Katz KC, emphasizing Jackson’s lack of experience with electric vans and the reckless nature of his actions.

During the sentencing, the judge noted Jackson’s failure to properly assess the vehicle’s handling before driving. He was also handed three-year terms for causing serious injuries to two other KCL students, Irem Yoldas and Yamin Belmessous, which will be served concurrently.

“When you lose a child, you don’t just lose a presence of someone in your life, you lose a part of yourself,” stated Aalia’s mother, Samira Shafi. “Our beautiful Aalia had her whole life ahead of her, cut so short at the age of 20 with no warning and no goodbyes… the loss on the wider family is also immense.”

The Metropolitan Police confirmed there were no mechanical issues with the van, attributing the crash primarily to unintended acceleration exacerbated by Jackson’s panic. He had offered no comment during his interview with officers but expressed immediate remorse, which the judge deemed genuine.

Jackson will serve two-thirds of his sentence before being released on licence. He has also been banned from driving and must pass a retest to regain his license.

Further details about the case are still emerging, with the story being updated regularly. For the latest news from the UK and globally, follow Sky News.

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