Face of killer driver who mowed down Dudley teens and left two badly injured

A dangerous driver who killed two teenagers and seriously injured two more changed his plea to ‘guilty’ just before facing his trial. Dhiya Al Maamoury ploughed into Liberty Charris, 16, and 19-year-old Ben Corfield, both from Dudley, beside the A457 Oldbury Road near the junction with Crystal Drive in Oldbury on Sunday, November 20, 2022.

Al Maamoury was driving a blue Nissan Skyline at around 11.30pm, when he lost control and hit a number of pedestrians on the pavement. Liberty and Ben both died at the scene. While a man and woman in their 20s were also badly injured in the incident.

Al Maamoury of Hobs Moat Road, in Solihull, had pleaded not guilty to causing the two deaths by dangerous driving and to two more counts of causing serious injury by dangerous driving back in March. At Wolverhampton Crown Court, Al Maamoury changed his pleas to ‘guilty’ on Monday (September 16).

Read more: Killer driver facing jail after ploughing into teens

In front of a court room packed with the families of the victims, the 56-year-old held his head in his hands when they passed by the dock. Some of the families cried as Al Maamoury listed to the proceedings through an Arabic interpreter and then spoke to confirm his name and enter the new pleas.

His defence barrister, Balbir Singh, said the period of the defendant's dangerous driving was "very limited" as he was "coming out of a roundabout and accelerating" just before the collision. Judge Michael Chambers KC said the case "clearly crosses the custody threshold" but praised the defendant's "courage" for pleading guilty.

He imposed an interim driving ban on Al Maamoury until he is sentenced on Friday, November 8. And requested a pre-sentence report. Al Maamoury was granted bail on the same conditions that were previously put in place - that he live and sleep at his home address and surrender his passport.

Detective Sergeant Paul Hughes from West Midlands Police ’s Serious Collison Investigation Unit said: “Our thoughts remain with the friends and family of Liberty, Ben and those who were injured. I am glad that Maamoury has pleaded guilty so loved ones will not have to relive the tragic events in court.”

The families of Liberty and Ben had previously paid tributes to the youngsters. Liberty’s family said: “Liberty, our beautiful baby girl and sister. So loved by her family and friends, they were all so proud of the gorgeous young lady you were becoming.

"With your heart of gold, bright blue eyes and beaming smile, your aim in life was to make everyone happy, with your funny accents and loud laugh. From the moment you were born we were all so in love with you, you loved life and had an amazing future ahead of you.

"Our hearts are shattered into pieces. Shine bright up there our beautiful girl."

While Ben’s family had said: “What can we say other than Ben was the light of our lives. He was a larger-than-life character with a huge heart that was made of gold.

"Nothing will ever heal the massive hole in our lives - our hearts are broken forever. We waited so long for Ben to come along and complete our family, and we feel privileged to have had him as our son and brother for the last 19 years.”