A speeding Audi driver who ploughed into a grandfather as he walked along a Birmingham pavement has been jailed for four-and-a-half years. Maurice Middleton, 65, was killed instantly when Shanise Hussain lost control of her car on Great Hampton Street in Hockley on July 21, 2024.
Hussain, 27, of West Drive, Handsworth, was found guilty of causing death by dangerous driving following a trial earlier this year. She was sentenced at Birmingham Crown Court on Thursday, September 3. The court heard she was travelling at around 48mph in a 30mph zone when she swerved to avoid a Jaguar, mounted the kerb and struck Mr Middleton, who was walking to a shop to buy a paper and cigarettes for his wife.
Family pays tribute to 'rock and king'
In a statement read to the court, Mr Middleton's daughter Rose described her father as the "rock and king" of the family. She said: "He was taken from us in the most violent, sudden way, being hit on the pavement. He was the most wonderful dad, the best grandad to my boys, who were incredibly close to him. Now he has gone."
Rose said her father had worked as a fabricator and welder for 32 years, often working six to seven days a week to "give us everything we needed". She added: "He was off to buy a paper and cigarettes for mum while she prepared a Sunday dinner. Then police officers knocked the door to tell her the news."
She continued: "We need someone to take responsibility. His death was so unnecessary. He was walking on a pavement. He was our rock and our king. He is loved and missed every day. Dad was the centre of our family and the glue that held us all together. It has left such a big hole in our hearts that no-one can fill."
Collision details revealed in court
The court heard that at around 2.45pm on July 21, 2024, Hussain was driving her Audi when she joined Hockley Hill via a slip road. At that point the road transitions from a flyover and the speed limit reduces from 40mph to 30mph.
As Hussain moved onto Hockley Hill, she approached a junction with Wyse Street and Wall Street when a Jaguar in the nearside lane suddenly indicated and moved into her lane. Hussain, travelling at around 48mph, swerved onto the wrong side of the road to avoid the Jaguar.
She lost control after striking a kerb of a central reservation and pressed the accelerator instead of the brake pedal. Her Audi careered towards the pavement and ploughed into Mr Middleton. It also continued behind a bus shelter and struck another pedestrian who was not seriously injured.
Judge condemns reckless speed
Judge Dean Kershaw told Hussain: "You didn't see that indication, having watched it myself, it seemed to me he had indicated to the right, you didn't see it due to your speed. You didn't see it because of the reckless way you were driving - by that I mean the excessive speed."
The judge added: "If you had been travelling at, or lower than, the speed limit, you would have seen it and you would have been able to deal with what later took place, if you would have needed to. The reality is you never would have had to do any of it, you never would have been upon him where you needed to take that evasive action."
He continued: "You pressed the accelerator and not the brake, that was a contributory factor of why you were unable to control the car. You ultimately struck and killed Mr Middleton at the scene. I have no doubt he would not have died if not for the speed and the decision to go past the Jaguar."
The Jaguar driver who pulled in front of Hussain was previously convicted of careless driving in relation to his involvement. Hussain had no previous convictions but had four points on her driving licence for speeding on a motorway a few weeks before the fatal incident.
Defence cites remorse and caring role
Imran Shafi KC, defending Hussain, said she was genuinely remorseful. He told the court: "This will be an impact that is likely to be lifelong. She had a moment of stupidity - that moment taking a well-loved man's life. It is something she will live with for the rest of her life. It will be a significant impact upon her."
Mr Shafi told the court Hussain had worked in a caring role, adding: "She took a great deal of satisfaction with her work caring for others. It is a cruel irony that this person who took so much joy from caring for others ultimately took somebody's life."
Hussain was jailed for four-and-a-half years at Birmingham Crown Court for causing the death of Mr Middleton, who was described by his family as the centre of their family and the glue that held them all together.
