Lincs: Takeaway owner killed retired accountant when he drove straight into him

A takeaway restaurant owner caused the death of a pedestrian when he drove straight into him, Lincoln Crown Court heard.
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Mohammed Newaz was turning off the A607 at Bracebridge Heath, outside Lincoln, into a service road leading to his restaurant when the tragedy happened.

Simon Eckersley, prosecuting, said that Newaz failed to notice retired accountant Neil Blanchard who was walking along the pavement and across the service road.

Newaz’s car struck the 64-year-old who was thrown into the air before landing on the ground.

Mr Blanchard, who lived nearby, died as a result of head injuries sustained in the collision.

The incident happened while he was on his regular evening walk.

Mr Eckersley said: “Mr Blanchard had started to cross the service road and had done so perfectly properly and safely.”

“There can be no criticism of anything he did. He crossed the junction when it was free of traffic.”

“The principal cause of Mr Blanchard’s death was the fact that the defendant was not looking properly. He was not looking as he should have been. There was no reason for Mr Blanchard not to be seen.”

Mohammed Newaz, 45, of Finucane Drive, Orpington, Kent, admitted causing the death of Neil Blanchard by careless driving on 7th April 2014.

He was given a 24 week jail sentence suspended for two years with 120 hours of unpaid work.

Recorder Nicholas Syfret QC banned him from driving for two years and ordered him to take an extended retest before he is allowed to drive again.

Recorder Syfret told Newaz “Mr Blanchard was there to be seen.”

Alex Di Francesco, defending, said Newaz had no previous convictions and had a clean driving licence.

He said that Newaz had not been speeding and had not been drinking alcohol .

He said: “He is a man who has in the 13 years he has been driving not committed any offence whilst he has been on the road.”

“As he approached the junction he reduced his speed. Before the junction he was braking and indicating.”

“He is incredibly remorseful.”

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