Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Gateshead man who killed grandmother in fatal crash jailed

Abobakr Mohammed admitted causing death by dangerous driving.

Gateshead man who killed grandmother in fatal crash jailed

An Amazon worker, who killed a grandmother in a fatal accident in Gateshead in November last year, has been jailed for more than six years, according to reports.

Abobakr Mohammed, 25, of Mardale Gardens admitted causing death by dangerous driving. Reports said that he was driving at speeds of up to 77mph in a 30mph zone.


Newcastle Crown Court on Tuesday (30) heard that Mohammed had been drinking 'strong lager' and was streaming music on his mobile phone when he collided Marion Whittaker, 55, while she was crossing Old Durham Road.

According to reports, she was walking back from looking after her grandchildren at around 10pm. Later, she succumbed to 'catastrophic injuries'.

Mohammed decided to drive to Gateshead from Newcastle with a co-worker in order to get food though he did not had a full UK licence.

According to a witness, Mohammed's Toyota 'flipped over on its roof and landed back on its wheels' following the accident.

The court heard that the scene was later examined and a speed report concluded the vehicle was travelling not less than 77mph at the time.

He survived the crash uninjured while his co-passenger sustained minor injuries.

Judge Julie Clemitson said: "You should never have been behind the wheel of that car that evening. Your passenger described the journey as scary, and when he looked at you it appeared to him you were consumed with your phone. You are unable to explain why you drove at such speed and ignored his requests to slow down. On a number of occasions you interacted with your phone in some way."

Sgt Steve Armstrong, of Northumbria Police, said: "This is another sad case that reinforces a simple fact - our roads are not racetracks, and speeding can lead to devastating consequences.

"Mohammed knew he had not passed his test but got into the car whilst under the influence of alcohol and cannabis and willingly risked the lives of other road users and families living nearby.

"His decision that night to drive from Gateshead to Newcastle to get some food has cruelly resulted in Marion's death, and her family and friends have had to live with the unimaginable pain ever since."

In a victim impact statement, Whittaker's daughter said that the family is struggling to come to terms with the loss of her. "She was a loving and caring person who would do anything for anyone and was always there when I needed her," the statement said.

Mohammed was also banned from driving for seven years and two months, and must take an extended driving test.

More For You

F-35B jet

The UK has agreed to move the aircraft to the Maintenance Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facility at the airport.

Indian Air Force

F-35B jet still stranded in Kerala, UK sends engineers for repair

UK AVIATION engineers are arriving in Thiruvananthapuram to carry out repairs on an F-35B Lightning jet belonging to the Royal Navy, which has remained grounded after an emergency landing 12 days ago.

The jet is part of the HMS Prince of Wales Carrier Strike Group of the UK's Royal Navy. It made the emergency landing at Thiruvananthapuram airport on June 14. The aircraft, valued at over USD 110 million, is among the most advanced fighter jets in the world.

Keep ReadingShow less
Ahmedabad air crash
Relatives carry the coffin of a victim, who was killed in the Air India Flight 171 crash, during a funeral ceremony in Ahmedabad on June 15, 2025. (Photo: Getty Images)

Ahmedabad crash: Grief, denial and trauma haunt families

TWO weeks after the crash of Air India flight AI-171 in Ahmedabad, families of victims are grappling with grief and trauma. Psychiatrists are now working closely with many who continue to oscillate between denial and despair.

The crash occurred on June 12, when the London-bound flight hit the BJ Medical College complex shortly after takeoff, killing 241 people on board and 29 on the ground. Only one passenger survived.

Keep ReadingShow less
Starmer apologises for 'island of strangers' immigration speech

Prime minister Keir Starmer delivers a speech at The British Chambers of Commerce Global Annual Conference in London on June 26, 2025. (Photo by EDDIE MULHOLLAND/AFP via Getty Images)

Starmer apologises for 'island of strangers' immigration speech

PRIME MINISTER Sir Keir Starmer has admitted he was wrong to warn that Britain could become an "island of strangers" due to high immigration, saying he "deeply" regrets the controversial phrase.

Speaking to The Observer, Sir Keir said he would not have used those words if he had known they would be seen as echoing the language of Enoch Powell's notorious 1968 "rivers of blood" speech.

Keep ReadingShow less
Sir Sajid Javid leads commission 'tackling social divisions'

Sir Sajid Javid (Photo by Tom Nicholson-WPA Pool/Getty Images)

Sir Sajid Javid leads commission 'tackling social divisions'

A cross-party group has been formed to tackle the deep divisions that sparked last summer's riots across England. The new commission will be led by former Tory minister Sir Sajid Javid and ex-Labour MP Jon Cruddas.

The Independent Commission on Community and Cohesion has backing from both prime minister Sir Keir Starmer and Tory leader Kemi Badenoch. It brings together 19 experts from different political parties and walks of life.

Keep ReadingShow less
​Masum

Masum was seen on CCTV trying to steer the pram away and, when she refused to go with him, stabbed her multiple times before walking away and boarding a bus. (Photo: West Yorkshire Police)

West Yorkshire Police

Habibur Masum convicted of murdering estranged wife in front of baby

A MAN who stabbed his estranged wife to death in Bradford in front of their baby has been convicted of murder.

Habibur Masum, 26, attacked 27-year-old Kulsuma Akter in broad daylight on April 6, 2024, stabbing her more than 25 times while she pushed their seven-month-old son in a pram. The baby was not harmed.

Keep ReadingShow less