Burton man jailed after admitting causing death by careless driving

A Burton man has been jailed today after pleading guilty to causing death by careless driving.

Ahsan Ali Chaudhry, aged 23, of Oak Street, appeared at Stafford Crown Court.

In the early hours of 12 March 2020, taxi driver Chaudhry was driving his blue Volkswagen Golf on the A5121 Derby Road when he collided with 33-year-old pedestrian Thomas Peter Godfrey, who was crossing the road.

Sadly, Mr Godfrey suffered fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene.

Following a thorough and complex investigation by the Staffordshire and West Midlands Serious Collision Investigation Unit it was established Chaudhry had been using his mobile phone via a Bluetooth connection at the time of the collision and was also travelling in excess of the 40mph speed limit.

The judge stated that despite being ‘hands-free’ at the time, Chaudhry was still clearly distracted and that his speed was a significant factor in the collision.

Following his guilty plea, Chaudhry has today been sentenced to 15 months in prison and been banned from driving for 30 months upon his release. He will also have to sit an extended re-test.

Speaking after the hearing, PC Jonathan Stant of the Staffordshire and West Midlands Serious Collision investigation Unit said: “This collision shows the devastating consequences of driving in excess of the speed limit and while distracted. Although using a mobile phone via a hands-free device is not illegal, this incident should act as a reminder to motorists of the devastating impact it can have.”