A DRIVER involved in a fatal collision that claimed the life of 84-year-old Phyllis Willis has been sentenced to two years and four months in prison.
Naeem Shahani, 39, from Sheppey Road, Dagenham, was also disqualified from driving for six years and four months and will be required to take an extended driving re-test. The sentencing took place at Chelmsford Crown Court on Thursday, 28 November.
Shahani, employed by a company providing airport "meet and greet" parking services, was driving a customer’s Range Rover to Stansted Airport when the incident occurred on Parsonage Road, Takeley, at approximately 3:20 pm on 26 September 2022.
Shahani lost control of the vehicle on a bend, colliding with a Mitsubishi Shogun travelling in the opposite direction. The collision resulted in the death of Phyllis Willis, a front-seat passenger in the Mitsubishi, who died at the scene. The driver of the Mitsubishi sustained multiple injuries and spent nearly two weeks in hospital.
Following an investigation by Essex Police’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit, Shahani was charged with causing death by dangerous driving and serious injury by dangerous driving. He denied the charges but was found guilty after a five-day trial on 25 October.
Detective Sergeant Sam Nason described the collision as "tragic", adding, "Today, my thoughts remain with Phyllis’s family and friends."
Moglai Bap and Mo Chara of Kneecap perform at Glastonbury Festival at Worthy Farm in Pilton, Somerset, Britain, June 28, 2025. REUTERS/Jaimi Joy
Police may probe anti-Israel comments at Glastonbury
BRITISH police said they were considering whether to launch an investigation after performers at Glastonbury Festival made anti-Israel comments during their shows.
"We are aware of the comments made by acts on the West Holts Stage at Glastonbury Festival this afternoon," Avon and Somerset Police, in western England, said on X late on Saturday (28).
Irish hip-hop group Kneecap and punk duo Bob Vylan made anti-Israeli chants in separate shows on the West Holts stage on Saturday. One of the members of Bob Vylan chanted "Death, death, to the IDF" in a reference to the Israel Defense Forces.
"Video evidence will be assessed by officers to determine whether any offences may have been committed that would require a criminal investigation," the police statement said.
The Israeli Embassy in Britain said it was "deeply disturbed by the inflammatory and hateful rhetoric expressed on stage at the Glastonbury Festival".
Prime minister Keir Starmer said earlier this month it was "not appropriate" for Kneecap to appear at Glastonbury.
The band's frontman Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh was charged with a terrorism offence last month for allegedly displaying a flag in support of Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah at a concert in November. He has denied the charge.
A British government minister said it was appalling that the anti-Israel chants had been made at Glastonbury, and that the festival's organisers and the BBC broadcaster - which is showing the event - had questions to answer.
Health secretary Wes Streeting said he was also appalled by violence committed by Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank.
"I'd also say to the Israeli Embassy, get your own house in order in terms of the conduct of your own citizens and the settlers in the West Bank," Streeting told Sky News.
"I wish they'd take the violence of their own citizens towards Palestinians more seriously," he said.
(Reuters)