Drug driver, 42, killed mother on school run while high on cocaine

A drug-driver who was high on cocaine when he mounted a pavement and killed a mother-of-five on the school run has been jailed.

Jamie Taylor, 42, was driving a vehicle that struck mother-of-five Iram Shahzadi, 39, in Bradford in May 2021.

His Citroen mounted the pavement at the junction of Hinchcliffe Street and Beech Terrace. Ms Shahzadi suffered a head injury and died at the scene.

Following the crash, Taylor got out of the car and staggered away.

He was later arrested and a drugs test returned a positive result for cocaine.

Bradford Crown Court heard he had never had a driving licence but had a previous conviction for dangerous driving and several convictions for driving while disqualified.

In a police interview, Taylor said he had gone to the area "to score drugs", the court heard, but he then claimed his hand had slipped on the gear stick or his foot had slipped on the pedal.

He later pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving and driving while disqualified. He was sentenced on Monday to seven and a half years in prison.

Read more: Man who held scissors against victim's throat jailed for attempted rape

He was also given a consecutive jail term of 18 months for breaching bail conditions in relation to an unrelated offence.

Taylor was also banned from driving for nine and a half years and must take an extended test before driving lawfully on the roads.

In a victim impact statement, one of Ms Shahzadi's sisters-in-law described her as a "beautiful soul".

Her brother said she had been walking the same route she had used for 18 years and had been “mown down”.

Defending barrister Ian Hudson, said Taylor "accepts that after the collision he did leave the scene in sheer panic".

Mr Hudson added: “He is deeply remorseful. He wishes of course he could turn back the time but he can’t and is ready to face his punishment for these offences.”

The court heard that Taylor had already collided with a parked car shortly before mounting the pavement.

Read more: Woman loses leg after being hit by driver who had 28 drinks at bottomless brunch

After viewing CCTV footage of the incident, the Recorder of Bradford, Judge Richard Mansell QC, said Taylor had taken a conscious decision to drive down the residential street as fast as he could to avoid being stopped or his registration plate being taken after the first collision with the parked car.

One eyewitness described the Citroen as “roaring” as it drove off and Judge Mansell said the car had driven straight on to the pavement just as Ms Shahzadi was turning the corner.

The judge told Taylor: "By your actions you have cut short the life of a decent woman and mother.

“You have deprived five children of a mother for the rest of their lives, left the children’s father widowed and caused untold grief to other close members of her family.

“No sentence could possibly compensate family members for the loss of a wife, mother and dear friend.”