Two drivers who caused horror crash that killed beloved mum spared jail

A taxi driver who swerved lanes without looking and a man on his way to work whilst speeding were both responsible for the death of a much-loved great-grandma.

Mohamed Mahamoud, 38, was travelling along Princess Road, in Moss Side, in his Toyota Auris at speeds of 40mph when he came to the junction with Great Western Street on July 29, 2021.

As the lights began to change to amber he was 90 metres away but did not slow down, jurors heard. He got to 43 metres from the lights when they changed to red, it was said.

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At the same time a taxi, driven by 55-year-old Mahad Ciid, moved from the middle lane into the left lane without checking his mirrors or indicating before abruptly stopping at the lights. He had a passenger in the back of the cab at the time.

Mahamoud then ‘slammed on his brakes’, hitting the taxi in a glancing blow before veering onto the pavement and colliding with the traffic light. Waiting at the lights was 70-year-old Joan Spence who was struck causing catastrophic head injuries. She sadly died despite the best efforts of paramedics.

Ciid, of Trafford, pleaded guilty to causing death by careless driving, and Mahamoud, of Fallowfield, was found guilty of the same offence following a trial. Both were handed suspended sentences before a judge at Manchester Crown Court.

'She was a very much loved mum'

Prosecuting, Robert Smith said that Ms Spence, who lived on Princess Road, left her home at around 12.40am to go and put some rubbish bags into a bin nearby.

Described as a ‘short journey’, he said she was waiting at the traffic lights at the junction with Princess Road and Great Western Street.

As a white taxi, which in front of Ciid’s Skoda Octavia, braked as the lights turned from changed, Ciid swerved into the left lane without indicating. Already in the left lane, and travelling at 40mph, Mahamoud hit the Skoda in a ‘glancing blow’ before veering onto the pavement and slamming into the traffic light.

This caused the traffic light to dislodge and ‘strike’ Ms Spence in the head, leaving her with catastrophic head injuries. Both Mahamoud and Ciid stayed at the scene to offer assistance, the court heard.

Emotive victim personal statements were read to the court depicting the devastating impact of Ms Spence’s loss.

Her daughter said: “She was a very much loved mum, nanny, great-nanny and friend. She really was the heart of the family.

“Family gatherings are not the same without her. Words can’t explain the hurt this has had on this family.”

The court heard she cared for one of her daughter’s who passed away from ill health a number of years ago. She then took on her daughter’s children as her own.

“My nana is mine and my brother’s whole life. We wouldn’t be the people we are without her,” their statement read.

“She was heaven sent. She wanted the best for us and our lives will never be the same. She gave us the best life possible. Seeing the way she looked after her daughter, our mum, was the best thing I have ever seen.

“I want the defendants to understand that someone’s life was taken by their actions, and to understand that she was a good woman who would never do harm to anyone and wanted the best for everyone."

Mitigating for Mahamoud, Richard Bridgen said: “It was and is the case that he was driving over the speed limit as he approached the traffic signal. This was a momentary lapse of judgement and concentration.”

He said his client had genuine remorse, and showed that by staying at the scene, ringing the emergency services and ensuring that Ms Spence lay with ‘dignity’. Mr Brigden said he came to the country from Somalia where he experienced trauma from the civil war and his mental health had declined since the offences.

“He was diagnosed with a depressive disorder, his marriage broke down and he suffered from a stress-related stomach ulcer. He is the primary carer for his dad who is suffering from cancer and we would urge you to pass a suspended sentence as he does not present a risk to the public,” he added.

For Ciid, Richard Dawson said the lights changed quickly and it gave way to a ‘quasi-emergency’ causing him to switch lanes. He added that his client claimed he did check his mirrors before the manoeuvre.

“Mr Ciid entered the country via the Netherlands having sought asylum having fled Somalia. He has been in this country for a number of years,” Mr Dawson said.

“His life came to an end in 2021 on the occasion of her tragic and untimely death. He has genuine regret and remorse for his actions.”

Both men spared jail

Sentencing, Judge Hilary Manley said: “Joan Spence was a healthy, strong woman with such vitality and spirit, who was clearly the heart of her close knit and loving family. Her loss has clearly left a void which can never be filled.”

Of Ciid, she said he switched lanes ‘without checking the mirrors or indicating’, and that there was no doubt that Mahamoud ‘intended to go through a red light'.

“Disobedience towards the rules of the road mean that in the event of something unexpected occurring, a driver can’t react in a way they should be able to,” she added.

Mahamoud, of Bowdon Avenue, was handed 15 months imprisonment which was suspended for two years. Ciid, of Clayton Close, was handed six months imprisonment which was suspended for 12 months.

Both must complete five days of rehabilitation activity requirements and were banned from driving for two years and 12 months respectively.

In a tribute to Ms Spence after the hearing, her family said: “Joan was the heart of our family and there are no words to express how much the events of the 29th July 2021 have changed our lives.

“Our family has never been the same since. We hope to see her again soon and hope she knows somewhere how much she is missed by us all.”