Arjun Nijjar, 23, of Sutton Coldfield, was jailed for eight and a half years after his mother's Mercedes struck pedestrian Douglas Draper, 79, on Thornhill Road, Streetly, on August 16, 2025. Nijjar was travelling at up to 84mph in a 30mph zone and was three times over the drink-drive limit when he hit the married pensioner, who was killed instantly.
Failed sweet shop with zero hygiene rating
Months before the fatal crash, Nijjar had opened Sutton Sweet Centre in Mere Green in May 2024. Within months, inspectors handed the shop a zero food hygiene rating after finding more than 60 issues, including staff who showed 'a complete lack of understanding of the basics of food hygiene'. The shop was also banned from serving customers with allergies and closed for good shortly afterwards.
At the time, Nijjar said: "We take full responsibility for everything because it's our business at the end of the day."
Court hearing and sentencing
At Wolverhampton Crown Court, his barrister said the loss of the business, along with the breakdown of a three-year relationship, led Nijjar to drink heavily in the months before the fatal crash. As well as his jail term, he was banned from driving for more than 10 years.
The case highlights the consequences of drink-driving and the impact on victims' families. Nijjar's actions on that August day resulted in the death of a grandfather and a lengthy prison sentence.
