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Shamirah Grant death: Learner driver jailed for two years

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-leeds-16288388

Quote:

A learner driver on her first lesson has been jailed for two years for crashing and killing a nine-year-old girl.

Beatrice Mawamba, 34, crushed Shamirah Grant after she drove a car down an alleyway and into a communal courtyard.

Two other girls, aged 11 and 13, were injured in the incident in Leopold Grove, Chapeltown, Leeds, on 31 May.

At Leeds Crown Court Mawamba, of Leopold Street, Chapeltown, admitted causing death by dangerous driving.

Mawamba's husband Brice Nguetcuessi, who was giving her the driving lesson, was originally charged in connection with Shamirah's death but the case against him was later dropped.

The court was told Mawamba had a provisional licence but had only done online theory lessons and had not driven a car before.

The vehicle was described in court as "bunny hopping" before Mawamba lost control and veered down the steps of the narrow alleyway and on to the grassed children's play area.

'Profoundly ignorant'

Michael Smith, prosecuting, said: "The defendant described the car going very fast and her husband telling her to brake but she did not know how to. Her husband also tried to stop the car but couldn't.

"When challenged by the police she was unable to say which pedal was the brake."

Sentencing, Mr Justice Openshaw said Mawamba was "profoundly ignorant" of the most basic driving skills.

He added: "It seems to me she was unaware of putting the car in gear. Having done so she was unable to disengage first gear.

"She did not know how to apply the brake pedal; she could not find the brake pedal; she did not know where it was or what purpose it served."

Mawamba, a mother of three, was banned from driving for five years and must take an extended test when her ban ends.

Jeez ..... an innocent little girl killed by the incompetence of a stupid woman ..... :sad:

Quote:

Originally Posted by Omah (Post 4828207)

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-leeds-16288388

Jeez ..... an innocent little girl killed by the incompetence of a stupid woman ..... :sad:

Tragic - absolutely tragic. Though I'm unclear as to why the husband has got off without anything sticking to him though: given that he was as equally responsible for taking her out in the car - given that he had the driving licence.

I do wonder though why there isn't a law to cover such a thing as precisely this......an legitimate fully qualified driver but untrained to supervise a learner, in a non dual operated car.

I'm sure there have been many a close call with people being given lessons by friends, family members etc - after all, it is a lethal weapon in the wrong hands: as this clearly demonstrates.

What I found chilling was :

"She did not know how to apply the brake pedal; she could not find the brake pedal; she did not know where it was or what purpose it served."

:eek: