Van driver jailed after killing London student
Van Driver Jailed After Killing London Student
A 27-year-old man from Southampton received an eight-year prison sentence following a van accident that resulted in the death of a London student. The incident occurred near a university campus in the Strand, where the victim was seated on a bench.
Christopher Jackson, who had previously confessed to causing the fatal crash on 18 March last year, was found responsible for the death of Aalia Mahomed. The Old Bailey heard that the 20-year-old student, pursuing a degree in physics and philosophy, was close to King’s College London’s campus at the time.
The court revealed Jackson was assigned to transport a van from Bush House in Aldwych, though he had no prior experience with electric vehicles. His van collided with gates near the campus, leaping over a flower bed and briefly losing contact with the ground before striking Ms. Mahomed. The vehicle then stopped near the wall of St. Mary-Le-Strand church, with the event unfolding in just six seconds.
“When you lose a child, you don’t just lose a presence in your life—you lose a part of yourself,” said Samira Shafi, Aalia’s mother. “Our beautiful Aalia had her entire future ahead of her, ending tragically at 20 with no warning or farewells. The impact on our family is profound.”
During sentencing, Judge Philip Katz KC emphasized Jackson’s inexperience, stating, “He had no experience driving vans, let alone electric models,” and noted the “considerable irresponsibility” involved. The judge added that Jackson had been “pumping the accelerator, thinking it was the brake,” which contributed to the collision.
Jackson had earlier claimed the accident was a “tragic mishap” without excessive speed, alcohol, or drugs. However, the judge refuted this, comparing the case to a driver renting a car: “Any careful and competent driver would ensure they can handle the vehicle safely before starting the journey.”
The Metropolitan Police confirmed the van had no mechanical issues and attributed the crash to “unintended acceleration exacerbated by Jackson’s panic.” The defendant, who offered no comment during his interview, was sentenced to three years for causing serious injuries to two other KCL students, which will run concurrently with his eight-year term. He will serve two-thirds of his sentence before parole and must pass a retest to regain his license.
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